Jim O'Neill, a winch paramedic with the Irish Coast Guard, has been awarded the Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Memorial Trophy at a ceremony held at the House of Commons in London. The honour recognises his leadership in the rescue of all 14 crew members from the French fishing vessel Fastnet, which ran aground off the coast of County Kerry in December.
Rescue Operation Details
The Fastnet, a French fishing boat, suffered engine failure while leaving Dingle Harbour. It was driven onto rocks by near gale-force winds and powerful Atlantic swells. The vessel was battered on one side by waves and on the other by rocks, while leaking diesel into the sea, leaving rescuers with very little time to act.
O'Neill, who has nearly 30 years of experience in search and rescue operations along Ireland's coastline, was part of a wider emergency response. The operation involved Irish Coast Guard Rescue Helicopter 115, with Captain Robert Goodbody, co-pilot Paraic Slattery, and winch operator Eamon O'Broin, as well as RNLI lifeboats, Irish Coast Guard land units, the Irish Navy, and local fishing vessels.
50-Minute Evacuation
With the Fastnet sitting in relatively shallow water, surface vessels held back in safer areas while Rescue 115 moved into position above the stricken boat. O'Neill was winched down and, over 50 minutes, located each of the 14 fishermen on board and coordinated their evacuation one by one into the helicopter. He was the last person to leave the vessel.
Reflecting on the operation, O'Neill said: "The main challenge I had on the vessel was I had to make sure I didn't fall on the deck or end up being thrown overboard. I didn't think I was going to survive if I ended up in the sea because it was so rough. So I got the 14 all up and into the helicopter and that a bit of a moment really — suddenly, I found I was the only one left. That was a great moment but also a very scary moment because I knew I had to be recovered."
Award Named After a Fallen Hero
The Billy Deacon trophy recognises winch paramedics or operators for outstanding service during search and rescue missions. It honours Billy Deacon, a HM Coastguard winchman who died in November 1997 near the Shetland Islands while rescuing the final crew members from the cargo vessel Green Lily. He was swept overboard after ensuring others were safe and was posthumously awarded the George Medal.
The award committee said O'Neill's rescue was "completed with a calm professionalism, despite considerable personal risk" and that his leadership "had a direct bearing on the successful outcome." O'Neill also received a watch personally inscribed by RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes.
Call for Water Safety
O'Neill said receiving an award that carries Deacon's name felt deeply meaningful. He used the recognition to call on the public to stay safe near the water: "They can still go out and enjoy the environment but just be careful about what you do and think about what you do and just remember what could be the outcome of your actions if you take any foolish risks."
The rescue of the Fastnet crew highlights the ongoing risks faced by maritime search and rescue teams, and the award serves as a reminder of the professionalism required in such operations.
