Coastguard Helicopter and Lerwick Lifeboat crews mark Green Lily anniversary


On 19th November 1997, the freighter Green Lily ran aground at Grutwick on Bressay. Although her 15 strong crew were rescued by the Lerwick Lifeboat and the Coastguard helicopter, Billy Deacon, the helicopter winchman, was lost when he was swept overboard from the ship.

Mr Deacon was posthumously awarded the George Medal, and crews from both Lifeboat and helicopter were honoured by the RNLI and HM Coastguard Search & Rescue, with Lifeboat coxswain Hewitt Clark being awarded the RNLI’s Gold Medal.

Yesterday, on the 20th anniversary of the tragic events of that day, crews from both the HM Coastguard Search & Rescue helicopter based at Sumburgh and the Lerwick Lifeboat simultaneously lay wreaths at the site of the grounding at midday, and this was followed by a service in Lerwick.
A commemorative exhibition will also be held in the Shetland Museum from 14th – 25th November.

Stuart Cunliffe, Chief Pilot at HM Coastguard Search & Rescue in Sumburgh said, “The tragic events of the Green Lilly rescue highlight the dangers that rescue crews are constantly exposed to in the conduct of their duties.  This accident is a continued reminder of the dedication, professionalism and the heroism required of individuals that practice Search and Rescue on a daily basis, whether by air, land or sea."
Lifeboat Operations Manager, Malcolm Craigie said ”It’s important that we commemorate the tragic loss of Billy Deacon that day, and the skill and bravery of both crews in saving the lives of 15 seamen”.


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