The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Islanders pay tribute 20 years after brave rescue
Ceremony: Winchmanwhogavehislifetosavecrewmenisremembered
One of the most dramatic rescues in Shetland’s modern history was commemorated yesterday with a wreath-laying ceremony at the site of the grounding of the Green Lily off the island of Bressay.
Helicopter winchman Bill Deacon, of Ellon, was killed when he was swept overboard after helping 10 crewmen off the stricken vessel in a force 11 storm, on November 19, 1997.
Wreaths were laid at the site of the grounding and at a nearby cairn erected by the people of Bressay to mark the 20th anniversary of the courageous rescue.
Mr Deacon’s son, Alan, laid the wreath from the Lerwick lifeboat team.
He said: “It brought a lot of memories back. Twenty years feels like yesterday. But I feel really, really proud of what my dad did, and I miss him. I would like to thank the people of Shetland for remembering him all these years later.”
The Green Lily sailed from Lerwick harbour into a worsening south-easterly storm, with a cargo of frozen fish bound for West Africa, on November 18.
A day later, only 14 miles off Bressay, she suffered engine failure and was drifting ashore. The massive rescue effort, involving a Coastguard helicopter, Lerwick lifeboat and three ocean-going tugs, ultimately failed due to appalling weather conditions.
By afternoon, shortly before the 344ft-long vessel hit the rocks, five of the 15 crew were plucked to safety by Lerwick lifeboat, while the remaining 10 personnel were airlifted by the Coastguard helicopter.
Tragedy struck when the helicopter’s hi-line became snagged in the rigging of the vessel after the last two survivors were winched up.
The helicopter crew became aware that Mr Deacon was no longer on the deck of the Green Lily. Unable to free the helicopter, the crew had no option but to cut the line.
Hewitt Clark, who was at the helm of the lifeboat that day, said at that time the Green Lily crew should have abandoned the ves- sel when he told them to. Islander and journalist Jonathan Wills said: “The winchman was a hero. The conditions were terrifying, particularly after the ship hit the rocks. But he stayed on board until he had made sure everyone else was safe. He really did give his life for those crewmen.”
Mr Deacon was posthumously awarded the George Medal for bravery, which was collected by his wife, Lorna.