Rescue 115 Crew Honoured for Dramatic Dingle Trawler Rescue That Saved 14 Lives
The crew of Shannon-based Irish Coast Guard helicopter Rescue 115 has been formally honoured for one of the most technically demanding sea rescues in recent Irish maritime history — the December 2025 evacuation of all 14 crew members from the French-flagged fishing vessel Fastnet, which ran aground on rocks near Dingle Harbour in near-gale conditions, with winch paramedic Jim O'Neill receiving the prestigious Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Memorial Trophy.
Background
The Fastnet, a 28-metre French-registered fishing trawler, departed Dingle Harbour on the morning of 14 December 2025 when it suffered catastrophic engine failure shortly after leaving port. With no power to manoeuvre, the vessel was driven by heavy Atlantic swells and near-gale-force winds onto rocks at Bínn Bán, a remote and treacherous stretch of coastline between Dingle Lighthouse and Binn Bán beach. The location made a conventional sea rescue by lifeboat extremely hazardous, and the deteriorating weather conditions meant that time was critically short.
The Valentia Coast Guard coordinated a multi-agency response that involved the Irish Coast Guard, the Valentia RNLI, Dingle Coast Guard units, the Irish Navy, and local vessels. After assessing the situation, rescue coordinators determined that aerial evacuation was the only viable method of getting the 14 crew members to safety. The task fell to Rescue 115, the Shannon-based helicopter crew that covers the western seaboard of Ireland and is one of the most experienced search and rescue teams in the North Atlantic region.
The Irish Coast Guard's Shannon base has been operational since 1991 and covers one of the most challenging maritime environments in Europe, encompassing the wild Atlantic coastline from Loop Head in Clare to the Aran Islands and beyond. The crews based there have accumulated decades of experience in rescuing fishermen, sailors, and coastal walkers from some of the most dangerous waters in the world.
Key Developments
The rescue operation on 14 December 2025 tested the Rescue 115 crew to the limits of their training and experience. Winch Paramedic James O'Neill was lowered by Winch Operator Éamonn Ó Broin onto the deck of the Fastnet — a vessel that was moving unpredictably in heavy seas and at constant risk of breaking apart on the rocks beneath it. Despite the extreme conditions, O'Neill located all 14 crew members, provided reassurance, and organised the evacuation with calm professionalism.
Over a 50-minute period, O'Neill facilitated the winching of all 14 crew members to safety in two sorties, remaining on the vessel until the very last person had been evacuated. The entire Rescue 115 crew — Captain Robert Goodbody, Co-Pilot Paraic Slattery, Winch Operator Éamonn Ó Broin, and Winch Paramedic James O'Neill — worked as a seamless unit throughout the operation, demonstrating the kind of professional teamwork that is the hallmark of the Irish Coast Guard's most experienced crews.
At the Air League's Annual Reception Ceremony at the House of Commons in London in July 2026, O'Neill was formally presented with the Billy Deacon Search and Rescue Memorial Trophy and an inscribed Breitling watch by RNLI Chief Executive Peter Sparkes. The award, sponsored by Bristow Helicopters and Onboard Systems, honours outstanding bravery by winch paramedics and operators across the UK and Irish search and rescue regions. It is one of the most prestigious recognitions available to search and rescue professionals in these islands.
Why It Matters
The Fastnet rescue is a reminder of the extraordinary risks taken by Irish Coast Guard crews on behalf of mariners in distress. The western seaboard of Ireland is one of the most dangerous stretches of coastline in Europe, and the crews based at Shannon, Sligo, and Waterford operate in conditions that would be considered extreme by any international standard. The fact that all 14 crew members of the Fastnet were brought to safety without a single fatality is a testament to the skill, courage, and professionalism of the Rescue 115 team.
The recognition of O'Neill's bravery with the Billy Deacon Trophy is also significant because it highlights the often-overlooked contribution of winch paramedics — the individuals who are physically lowered into the most dangerous situations to provide medical care and organise evacuations. While pilots and co-pilots receive considerable public attention, it is the winch crew who bear the most direct personal risk in operations of this kind. The award brings deserved recognition to a role that is central to the success of every major sea rescue.
Local Impact
In County Kerry and across the wider west of Ireland, the Fastnet rescue has become a source of considerable local pride. Dingle, a town with deep maritime roots and a strong fishing tradition, has followed the story with particular interest. The local fishing community, which is acutely aware of the dangers of the waters around the Dingle Peninsula, has expressed profound gratitude to the Rescue 115 crew. The rescue has also prompted renewed discussion about the importance of maintaining and adequately funding the Irish Coast Guard service, which operates on a relatively modest budget compared to equivalent services in the UK and continental Europe.
What's Next
The salvage operation to remove the Fastnet from the rocks at Bínn Bán has been ongoing since the December grounding, with the 350-tonne vessel proving extremely difficult to refloat due to its location and the damage sustained during the grounding. Salvage teams have determined that the vessel will likely need to be dismantled in situ, a complex and time-consuming process that is expected to continue into the autumn. The Irish Coast Guard, meanwhile, continues its daily operations along the western seaboard, with the Rescue 115 crew returning to the routine of standby duties and training that underpins their extraordinary capability.
