Dingle: Crew honoured after 14 fishermen rescued from stricken boat

A rescue that began just before last Christmas has earned Jim O’Neill, a veteran of Irish Coastguard Rescue Helicopter 115, the Billy Deacon Memorial award. O’Neill and his crew helped save 14 fishermen from the French vessel Fastnet, which suffered an engine failure leaving Dingle Harbour and became stranded on rocks in County Kerry. Near gale-force winds and strong Atlantic waves threatened to capsize the boat or break it apart. O’Neill said risk was high and success not guaranteed, as diesel pollution leaked into the sea. With the helicopter hovering, he was winched down and, over a 50-minute operation, located the fishermen and got all of them into the aircraft, becoming the final person to leave. The ceremony took place at the House of Commons and also recognized Capt Robert Goodbody, co-pilot Paraic Slattery, and winch operator Eamon O’Broin.