Remembering brave winchman Billy Deacon

Brave Winchman, Billy Deacon
Twenty years ago today, 19 November 1997, HM Coastguard Winchman Billy Deacon, was tragically lost while carrying out his search and rescue (SAR) helicopter duties in the Shetland Islands.

On the day in question, the merchant vessel Green Lily got into difficulties in extreme weather conditions, hurricane force 12, with 15 crew members on board. With the vessel foundering, five crew members were taken off by the Lerwick Lifeboat. As the lifeboat was unable to recover the rest of the crew, and with the Green Lily very close to the rocky shoreline, the remaining crew had to rely on the SAR helicopter for rescue. In mountainous seas, Deacon was winched down to the deck of the vessel. Once on board he placed the remaining crew members, two at a time, in the rescue strops and they were all winched to the safety of the helicopter.

As the helicopter was in the process of recovering Deacon, who was alone on the deck and with the ship now on the rocks, he was washed overboard and engulfed by the waves before the aircraft could complete his rescue. In recognition of Deacon's outstanding courage and bravery in the most severe and demanding conditions he was posthumously awarded the George Medal.

Damien Oliver, Assistant Director for Aviation at the MCA said:  “Billy Deacon lost his life while saving the lives of others.  It is a heroism that brought about a widespread and enduring change in the way in which we conduct search and rescue operations, and his ultimately immeasurable dedication to the saving of lives his colleagues continue to apply to our service today.”

This tragic incident raised the bar in search and rescue safety standards and resulted in Bristow Group designing the dual hoist which is now a standard piece of SAR kit across the industry. Bristow also established the Billy Deacon Award in his honor and annually awards The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy to winchmen and winch operators for meritorious service during SAR helicopter operations in the UK. We will never forget his heroic service. 

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