Green Lily: Lerwick lifeboat crew in dramatic Gold Medal rescue of sailors from sinking ship

[@anncrawford9881]

My mums cousin William deacon he is our hero and he will never be forgotten , 20 years. Will always remember his bravery xxx

[@SuperDemon1973]

How can saving lives and risking your own get a dislike is beyond my understanding .

[@jeffreydouglass7112]

It was probably Trump giving it the thumbs down

[@Fyodor48]

This is bravery of another order altogether.

[@choughed3072]

100% right. I live in Cornwall and have been around boats and the sea all my life but would I go out in this kind of storm. Not a fucking chance, I have absolute respect for the RNLI and coastguard.

[@briancaldwell283]

Absolutely!

[@markh7288]

His poor family. May he Rest In Peace. Every crew member in the RNLI deserves awards as they all face these dangers on every call.

[@jimmywrangles]

Incredible bravery, RIP the winchman, died saving others, there can be no higher sacrifice.

[@briancaldwell283]

Seamanship and raw courage not to mention dedication beyond the call of human endeavor. Hat's off!

[@mrg8056]

The bravest men and women on the planet

[@helenstewart2883]

The word ‘Hero’ is overly used today and so it has lost the power it once had; However, I think of the original, true meaning of the word ‘Hero’ and it is now, watching this footage, that I feel I can call this gentleman, a real man, a 100% total and utter Hero! RIP and thank you.

[@guillermomoresco3113]

Helen Stewart ñavio es

[@folkestender2025]

Anyone risking their own lives to save people is a hero. It's not inflationary to call them that because they deserve it. I can not do it professionally, but as a sailor I like to support also our guys from DGzRS in Germany. All should do this in his her own country, this guys has it more then deserve it.

[@felixcat9318]

It is because of RNLI volunteers like these that I make an annual subscription to support the RNLI. I would encourage others to do so too, as it is all needed to equip crews for rescues like these.

[@rnli]

Thank you for your kind words and support.

[@paulkeenan6430]

God bless all the brave men and women of the RNLB. The nation salute you.

[@rnli]

Thank you Paul

[@LindaTCornwall]

This sounds like I'm listening to the Penlee lifeboat disaster, conditions were exactly the same, it sent a shiver down my spine.. I'm so glad this ended better. Condolences to the winchmans family and friends.

[@gomphrena-beautifulflower-8043]

Wow. I’m so honored to have even seen this. God bless these brave souls.

[@donnakawana]

Thanks so much for what you all do for all those seafarers in distress. Thanks for being the best of what a humanity is.... I am in complete awe of the men an women of the RNLI !! ✌💗😊⛵🛥❣

[@Rob-jh3eo]

Too right mate.

[@martynrandall7652]

Incredible story I tip my hat to all involved , RIP the poor brave winchman.

[@fishpest2039]

All search and Rescue people are hero's big and small. They come out of their comfort zones to place themselves in danger, they are the people you want to be able to count on when things go pear shaped outside, to tackle such tremendous odds is awe inspiring. Those resque people who do come to grief are never forgotten,

[@rnli]

Thank you for your support Glenn.

[@RoryOnAir]

So sad about the loss of the brave winchman. The lifeboat and heli crews did an amazing job in absolutely atrocious weather conditions. We are so lucky to have the choppers and the RNLI in tho UK.

[@TechnikMeister2]

the British RNLI and Air Sea Rescue are the gold standard in the world. No one does it better and they are all volunteers.

[@foppo100]

All sea rescues will go the extra mile to save lives.It is the nature of the job.

[@xmissmilkywayx1887]

Yeah because only Britain has those things right

[@RicTic66]

@@xmissmilkywayx1887 Britain is the country that has such skilled volunteers yes. That's why amongst other leading rescue services British cave divers led the rescue and saved all the young lads in the flooded caves of Thailand. The best in the world because They are all volunteers and provide their services out of nothing but a desire to save lives. Not to earn a dollar. Which other countries provide that sort of service to the world? That's why they are always the first called on.

[@donnakawana]

@@RicTic66 well said luv... These are volunteers I think that's what most do not understand. The north sea an the coast lines are so beautiful an so dangerous. Who better to come to the rescue than ppl who Kno the waters an coastline best. I'm just in Awe. This is why I love your country the ppl are just brilliant!!! Some just have no clue what brave selflessness is. Watching this video should make it clearer...

[@RicTic66]

@@donnakawana Thank you Donna 😊🕊

[@unita39hse]

Amazing lifeboat crew are all TRUE heroes risking their lives for others in the most horrendous sea conditions they deserve their medals and more respect to all those who lost their lives always feel for Them and their families bless you all

[@98Blackbess]

So so sad about the winchman. Such a horrendous way to die. I shudder thinking about it. May the man be at rest now. RIP Sir.

[@luisdiazmontero179]

+

[@alisonpardey8463]

Sir Never Wrong but

[@mattsmith5267]

Men of extraordinary courage, god bless all those involved. RIP Bill Deacon and thank you for your courageous service.

[@mikepech1648]

You can't say enough about the bravery these men show. The skill with those men showed there are some outstanding people that are willing to put their lives in peril to save others.

[@felixthecleaner8843]

What worthy candidates for such Gallantry Awards. Bill Deacons family and friends must have been both extremely proud and yet very sad the day he was posthumously awarded an Honour for his work and sacrifice. RIP Mr Deacon.

[@phaedracollins6051]

These man are real heroes.

[@jansveen]

Thank God for heroes like these men. True angles at sea. Thank you so so so much!

[@unanimous300]

Good show, Men. I am sorry for our lost one. Brave men who go down to the sea in ships.

[@marialee627]

The man that lost his life did so in a job he loved and he save all them people we should all be proud of this man and his family as the family of the services live the life as well so I thank you all from the bottom of my heart to each and everyone of them

[@lenhowl]

Very brave men. RIP brave winchman, you are a hero as are all the people who took part in this rescue.

[@chrissyhathaway3264]

I want to THANK all lifeboat Crew wherever, and who ever they are. For risking their lives, for us, when they venture out in evil seas, and treaturous waters and oceans. These people are volunteers and do their own work during the course of any day. Their Bravado goes beyond extremes, .But are always there in times of peril on the seas. A HUGE HUGE THANKYOU to you all. God bless you all, and keep you all safe. ALWAYS. THANKYOU.

[@TheAncientBiker]

Incredible skill and bravery not least by the winchman who sadly perished.

[@jackglossop4859]

Whilst this must have been utterly terrifying, I can only imagine how much more terrifying it must have been to do this in the pitch black, like the poor lads from the Solomon Browne. Nothing but respect for all of them.

[@unita39hse]

Jack Glossop so agree jack that breaks my heart watching that footage and hearing the radio silence just before Christmas in one of the worst hellish nights of weather ever ! The cruel sea

[@mataafa1]

How the skippers of those life boats in those conditions get along side as bulk carrier like that is just insane seamanship 🙌🙌🙌

[@sixsixteensevens297]

Wwell done guys, RNLI are unsung heros.

[@rnli]

Thank you for your support

[@brianvittachi6869]

To risk one's own life to help another man is the most noble thing anyone could do. Kudos to the whole rescue service and RIP Bill Deacon.

[@rnli]

Thank you, Brian.

[@Tscaperock]

Thank god for men like that! Willing to do what it takes!

[@rnli]

Thanks Tom, we're so #proudofourcrowd!

[@johnoneill9539]

A very special gallant breed of men, ALL! of them no matter where.

[@garethdavies3404]

wow this footage is amazing. respect to our brave lifeboat men and women

[@Borolad116]

R.I.P Bill Deacon. A truly brave man who died saving others.

[@maureentomkinson8163]

Such brave individuals....putting their own lives at risk to save others...GOD bless you all.

[@rnli]

💙

[@davidmg1925]

What courageous men to take on the sea and it's might. RIP the gentleman lost.

[@dunruden9720]

Bloody hairy conditions. RIP for the loss. I'm proud of my time with VMR stations here in Australia.

[@magzsara9892]

A sad loss for such very brave men. My favourite charity of all..

[@rnli]

Thanks for supporting the RNLI. Our dedicated volunteers couldn't do it without people like you.

[@m.y.tangaroanui8345]

God bless all brave men!!

[@andyakarudolfhessiansack7936]

Cockswine Clark well done good sir, also well bloody done to you all, inc coxswain Hewitt and RIP Bill Deacon .

[@caahacky]

The tug crews worked their socks off too.

[@donnakawana]

Everyone did. That tugboat Captain was amazing. Seamen Rock!!!

[@julianv.5848]

So hard to pull a big ship in bad weather without ''bursting'' the Steel cable safety belt.... (Medals! and flag waving? they mean ''nothing'' outside England's Fascist system! Too be put away in a drawer and forgotten)

[@ishmyboy]

@@julianv.5848 Shut up.

[@christopherdoyle8479]

We are thrilled to have a return of this wonderful ,exciting ,and totally riveting series of real life series...EVERY serving RNLI crew member is a hero and they have our total admiration and gratitude for all they do and have done. Our only wish would be for the series to be shown once a week instead of the proposed twice weekly which would extend the series for longer.

[@rnli]

Hi Christoper, thanks for your kind message of support. We couldn't agree more, our crew members are amazing! There are ten episodes in the series, next week there are two but we believe it will then be shown weekly on a Tuesday .

[@LoneWolf-ki5ee]

thks for your service

[@guitarlover302]

The best of the best ! RIP winch man ❤️

[@handsometripod.6546]

Simply the best. 👍

[@terrystephens1102]

Outstanding courage and tenacity demonstrated by all crew members 👌❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@TechnikMeister2]

The UK coastguard and lifeboats are the gold standard for the service they do. In Australia its up to police and in an extreme pince the Navy.

[@dobsterello]

Absolutely incredible, every man/Woman a hero 👌👌

[@rnli]

We second that David 🙌

[@Your2TiminEx]

Jesus these emergency rescue guy's have got some guts to do this, heroes every last one of them

[@rnli]

Thank you

[@Your2TiminEx]

@@rnli No need for thanks sir, sadly I'm old enough to remember the Penlee life boat disaster, so shocking at the time, I remember being at school and walking round all the classes collecting money with the small model of the lifeboat, terrible tragedy

[@rnli]

@@Your2TiminEx It certainly was - thank you for your fundraising support.

[@johnoneill9539]

ALL,, All !! very brave noble men .

[@XLR_8]

Every one a hero. RIP Bill Deaco such a terrible loss.

[@1943L]

Brave men, support the RNLI. Become a shore member.

[@rnli]

Thanks for your kind support John! 😊

[@timazbill7746]

Makes me cry Everytime a rescuer dies

[@johncarney1113]

Very very brave men and women 🌹

[@JG-iz8ko]

Good bless these crews.

[@davefreeman9847]

I was rescued yacht Shafa (and my cat) 2009 at Mull o Kintyre by Campbeltown lifeboat Thanks

[@mullieprop]

Believe the crew and master of the Maersk Champion also received a medal.

[@modelleg]

Brave brave men. Like the US Coasties famous rescue of the SS Pendleton, from Chatham. Thank you who go to sea to save lives.

[@marcoanguilla3110]

Is it possible to say that I feel proud and honoured to belong to seamen? Among them there're courage and love for the others life. Thanks.

[@Meanlonger]

RNLI Real men & women.

[@sbnqy]

Please donate to the RNLI every year.

[@petertherepeatermustard3231]

looking at this video it's hard to realise how massive those seas are when you are actually there

[@johnjoeflanagan]

I think Bill Deacon, the winch-man was the true hero, amongst several very courageous men. He made the ultimate sacrifice though.

[@MrTrapper28]

My family were great friends of George (Geordie) Leith another fine Lifeboat Coxwain (Lerwick) - late 1960's. Fond memories.

[@itzelescobar185]

Bob Hudson

[@selkie72]

Geordie was the brother of my late father Peter Leith, who was 2nd Coxswain of Lerwick Lifeboat.

[@gunlokman]

Thank God for all pf them.

[@silver152]

the very brave life boat men and the very brave winchman god bless him

[@rohawaha]

Good On Ya Men ! From your American cousins

[@watchgoose]

God bless them all.

[@doctoredable]

Most of the time working on a ship is a great life. When things turn south it is beyond the fear of anything known except being consumed by fire.

[@3fxz483]

RIP to that coast guard

[@robertjohnredrupp2405]

God bless all involved ! Heroes one and all .....And we award Politicians with Knighthoods .......

[@alisonhilll4317]

Brave men .

[@rnli]

Indeed they were - none more so than Bill Deacon.

[@unique-luxury5237]

Clap clap clap! Respect!

[@daniws1972]

BRAVO !!

[@homefront3162]

Thank God there are subtitles.... I have no idea wtf he is saying... I am American

[@hansb.8]

Those people attending to rescue situations like this a the salt in the soup. Without them many lifes would be lost.

[@onepairofhands]

such brave guys

[@normanbrunt2053]

You are all very brave and do a great job. As a born to it land lubber, if I joined the R.N.L.I. it would be the river Thames for me - no fifty foot waves there.

[@demonrobinhood2259]

Я бы с гордостью был рядом с этими мужественеыми людми в трудную минуту!

[@nicholaschip5820]

Brave people.

[@Freedo1234]

Respect !

[@bethroesch2156]

Brave gentlemen, every single one. I personally would NEVER work on the sea. It's terrifying to me. I think anyone who does, from boat crews to the oil rig folks, are far braver than I

[@SWSimpson]

Nicely done. I didn't need the subtitles, however, with a Grandmother from Glasgow and a grandfather from Auchenblae, I understand quite nicely.

[@hblazza]

A lot of similarities here with the Penlee lifeboat disaster of 1981. Fortunately, this one had a better ending despite the loss of the winchman.

[@alexanderds061]

Brave heroes!!!

[@newadventures4035]

may u rest in piece sir

[@BrassLock]

I think the winchman was required to assist all ship's remaining crew into the rescue harness, thus he was the last to leave the Green Lilly's decks. That scenario would have been the most challenging and exhausting role in the aerial aspect of the rescue operation. I hope that in future aerial rescues of multiple people, a rotational system of a replacement/backup crewmember is on board the chopper. Otherwise more exhausted winchmen will get washed into the stormy seas due to the impossible workload.

[@robertmantell1700]

Good thinking, but you're limited by how much a helicopter can carry. If you add another winchman/swimmer you short yourself one seat available to a survivor. Bill Deacon knew what he was getting into when he signed up, we all do, and it's a credit to him that he managed to save all ten. Every lifesaver knows that each mission to help you fellow man could potentially be your last. Surfman #443, US Coast Guard (retired)

[@cliveramsbotty6077]

those rnli boys look so old and grizzled. must be a huge relief when those faces appear. men of the sea.

[@dingledooley9283]

The balls on these fellas, I just can't imagine being at work and getting the call, bezzing down to the harbour and setting off into that watery hell in a wee little boat, then keeping your nerves enough to make everything happen.

[@nobbywilts782]

Top blokes

[@christiano8088]

All super heroes.

[@MitzvosGolem1]

heros

[@GOLDSMITHEXILE]

you have men of incredible and modest courage who willingly volunteer to sail INTO attrocious conditions, to rescue those in danger on the seas....and all the middle clarse common purpose parasites who have assumed control of the RNLI (and so many other fine charitable organisations) are bothered about is wether they are fully submitted to looney left PC dogmas

[@computerbob06]

I know you're all about the lifeboat and it's crew were and are extremely brave. But, you might also mention that Winchman Bill Deacon received a posthumous George Medal for his bravery, by his family, personally from HM The Queen.

[@TheSaladTozzer]

computerbob06 IDK what a winchman is, was he one of the people on the Green Lily or was he someone trying to rescue them?

[@Huskey27]

A Winchman is someone who is lowered from the helicopter via a harness and attaches another harness to the casualties and then the helicopter pulls them back up.

[@rnli]

Hi, thanks for your comment. We've since updated the description to include more of the details featured in our article on the rescue: rnli.org/magazine/magazine-featured-list/2017/november/rescue-of-the-green-lily

[@jacobgent1469]

computerbob06 ;

[@williamthethespian]

Amazing. (Subscribed)

[@nicksmth33]

Anyone know what type of life boat that is?

[@rnli]

It's a Severn class - the largest in our fleet

[@BirdPlan]

makes me realize how much of a sissy I really am. I'm ashamed to call myself a man after watching real men busting their asses and saving lives in the most dangerous conditions. I'll tuck my tail now and do the walk of shame down the hall to bed. lol

[@cameronlynch4961]

u crazy bro...