Bristow winch paramedic receives Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy

James O’Neill, a winch paramedic with Bristow Ireland, has received the Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Memorial Trophy 2026 for his role in rescuing 14 crew members from a stricken fishing vessel off Ireland.

The award was presented by RNLI chief executive Peter Sparkes at the Air League’s Annual Reception Ceremony at the House of Commons on 9 July 2026. The trophy is sponsored by Bristow Helicopters and Onboard Systems.

O’Neill is based at the Shannon Search and Rescue helicopter base. Bristow Ireland delivers aviation services on behalf of the Irish Coast Guard from bases at Shannon, Weston, Sligo and Waterford.

Shannon SAR crew recognised for Fastnet rescue

The award recognised a rescue carried out in 2025 after the fishing vessel Fastnet suffered engine failure soon after leaving Dingle Harbour.

The vessel was driven ashore at the base of steep cliffs and was being pounded by Atlantic swell and near-gale-force winds. With the vessel at risk of capsizing or breaking up, its 14 crew members were in a life-threatening situation.

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The Shannon-based rescue helicopter arrived on scene at 12:20, with the crew preparing for a winching operation. Winch operator Eamonn O’Broin placed O’Neill aboard the vessel, where he located the crew sheltering in the wheelhouse and organised their evacuation.

The winching operation took around 50 minutes to complete. The helicopter transferred the crew in two sorties to a prepared landing site on the cliff top before O’Neill was winched to safety.

Billy Deacon Trophy honours SAR aviation bravery

George Rawlinson MBE, chair of the Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy Award Committee, said the rescue was completed with “calm professionalism” despite considerable personal risk.

He said O’Neill showed “magnificent leadership skills” in organising the evacuation and prioritising the safety of the crew. Rawlinson also credited O’Broin, Captain Robert Goodbody and co-pilot Paraic Slattery, as well as Valentia Coast Guard, Valentia RNLI Lifeboat and the Dingle Coast Guard Rescue Team.

The Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy is awarded to winch paramedics and/or winch operators from contracted helicopter bases operating in the UK and Irish SAR regions for meritorious service during SAR helicopter operations.

The award was established in memory of Billy Deacon, a Bristow winchman who lost his life in 1997 during the rescue of crew from the merchant vessel Green Lily off Shetland. He was posthumously awarded the George Medal.