Bristow Ireland winch paramedic James (Jim) O’Neill has been awarded the 2026 Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Memorial Trophy in recognition of his role in the dramatic rescue of 14 fishermen from the grounded trawler Fastnet off the Kerry coast last December.
O’Neill, a member of the Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard Search and Rescue helicopter team, received the award during the Air League’s annual reception ceremony at the House of Commons in London on 9 July. The Billy Deacon Award is one of the highest honours in UK and Irish helicopter search and rescue, recognising exceptional bravery by winch paramedics and winch operators. It was established in memory of Bristow winchman Billy Deacon, who lost his life during a rescue mission off Shetland in 1997.
The award relates to the rescue of the 28-metre French-flagged fishing vessel Fastnet, which suffered engine failure shortly after departing Dingle Harbour on 14 December 2025. Driven ashore near Bínn Bán, close to the harbour entrance, the vessel was pounded by heavy Atlantic swell and near gale-force winds, leaving its 14 crew in immediate danger as the trawler risked capsizing or breaking apart.
A major multi-agency response was launched by the Irish Coast Guard, involving Shannon-based Rescue 115, fixed-wing aircraft Rescue 120F, Valentia RNLI lifeboat crews, Dingle Coast Guard units, local vessels and the Naval Service. Attempts to tow the vessel clear proved impossible in the prevailing conditions, leaving aerial evacuation as the only viable option.
With Rescue 115 established overhead, winch operator Éamonn Ó Broin successfully placed O’Neill aboard the violently moving vessel. Working on an unstable, slippery deck and exposed to heavy seas, O’Neill located the frightened crew sheltering in the wheelhouse, organised the evacuation and coordinated the winching operation. Over the course of approximately 50 minutes, all 14 fishermen were lifted to safety and transferred ashore in two helicopter sorties without injury.
The rescue crew comprised Captain Robert Goodbody, Co-Pilot Paraic Slattery, Winch Operator Éamonn Ó Broin and Winch Paramedic Jim O’Neill. While the award recognises O’Neill’s individual courage and leadership during the operation, Bristow and the Irish Coast Guard have emphasised the teamwork involved in saving all 14 lives.
Commenting on the award, Bristow Director of Irish SAR Philip Bartlett said the rescue was “demanding and challenging, with no small amount of personal risk,” praising the professionalism and commitment displayed by the entire crew. The award is a fitting recognition of one of the most significant Irish Coast Guard helicopter rescues of recent years and highlights once again the vital role played by Rescue 115 crews in safeguarding lives around Ireland’s coastline.
