ABOVE: The Fastnet had already been driven ashore at the base of steep cliffs before the arrival of the Bristow SAR helicopter
This year’s Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy (for rescues carried out in 2025) was awarded to Winch Paramedic James O’Neill of the Shannon Search and Rescue Helicopter base in Ireland. The award was presented at the Air League’s Annual Reception in London on 9 July. The citation describes how the fishing vessel Fastnet had suffered an engine failure and been driven ashore at the base of steep cliffs. Pounded by a relentless Atlantic swell and near gale force winds, it was in danger of capsizing or breaking up, and its fourteen crew were in a life-threatening situation.
With great skill and precision by Winch Operator Eamonn O’Broin, James was placed aboard. Under extreme pressure and showing superb professionalism in a high risk environment, James briefed and prepared the crew for winching, prioritised the evacuation order and calmly facilitated the lifting of the crew, two at a time, up to the helicopter, all while coping with the unstable deck, relentless pounding of the Atlantic swell, near gale force winds and the hazards of the cluttered and slippery deck.
The winching operation took an exhausting fifty minutes to complete, before James was finally winched to safety.
PHOTO: BRISTOW
