Coastguard open Billy Deacon training centre
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From: Beyond the black stump!
Coastguard open Billy Deacon training centre
New Centre Named In Memory Of Shetland Hero
Fishing Monthly
Published on: July 02, 2003
MAURICE Storey, Chief Executive of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency(MCA) today opened a new Coastguard training facility at the MCA's training centre at Highcliffe in Dorset.
The new building - named after Billy Deacon, the Shetland-based Coastguard helicopter winchman who lost his life during a search and rescue mission - houses a state-of-the-art operations room simulator designed to help Coastguards learn and practise the skills of integrated communications and Search and Rescue (SAR) co-ordination. .
On Wednesday 19 November 1997 the cargo vessel Green Lily with a crew of fifteen broke down off the East Coast of Shetland and was drifting helplessly. Attempts to tow the vessel to safety failed.A lifeboat managed to take off five crew but was unable to rescue the remaining ten, in mountainous seas and winds in excess of 70 knots.
Winching of the remaining ten crew commenced with Bill Deacon supervising operations on the ship's deck. During this operation the vessel's anchor cable parted and in seas estimated at greater than 30feet the 'Green Lily' drifted ashore and grounded. Two of the remaining crew remained on board along with Bill Deacon still to be winched to the aircraft.
Without regard for his personal safety and in seas breaking over the vessel which had started to break up, Bill Deacon ensured that the remaining crew members were winched to safety.
Fishing Monthly
Published on: July 02, 2003
MAURICE Storey, Chief Executive of the Maritime & Coastguard Agency(MCA) today opened a new Coastguard training facility at the MCA's training centre at Highcliffe in Dorset.
The new building - named after Billy Deacon, the Shetland-based Coastguard helicopter winchman who lost his life during a search and rescue mission - houses a state-of-the-art operations room simulator designed to help Coastguards learn and practise the skills of integrated communications and Search and Rescue (SAR) co-ordination. .
On Wednesday 19 November 1997 the cargo vessel Green Lily with a crew of fifteen broke down off the East Coast of Shetland and was drifting helplessly. Attempts to tow the vessel to safety failed.A lifeboat managed to take off five crew but was unable to rescue the remaining ten, in mountainous seas and winds in excess of 70 knots.
Winching of the remaining ten crew commenced with Bill Deacon supervising operations on the ship's deck. During this operation the vessel's anchor cable parted and in seas estimated at greater than 30feet the 'Green Lily' drifted ashore and grounded. Two of the remaining crew remained on board along with Bill Deacon still to be winched to the aircraft.
Without regard for his personal safety and in seas breaking over the vessel which had started to break up, Bill Deacon ensured that the remaining crew members were winched to safety.
Joined: May 2002
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From: Britain
Fitting tribute....
Great news & a very fitting tribute to a most courageous man.
I hope the centre ensures he remains at the forefront of peoples minds and that it helps train personnel to the same standard & degree of commitment that he displayed during his distinguished career........
Best Wishes
I hope the centre ensures he remains at the forefront of peoples minds and that it helps train personnel to the same standard & degree of commitment that he displayed during his distinguished career........
Best Wishes
