Green Lily

Shetlopedia - The Shetland Encyclopaedia

On 19th November 1997 the reefer Green Lily left Lerwick Harbour after loading a cargo of frozen fish from the Shetland Catch factory.

Shortly after leaving harbour she suffered engine failure and in storm force south easterly winds was driven ashore on the east side of Bressay.

The crew were rescued by the Lerwick Lifeboat and the Coastguard rescue helicopter from Sumburgh Airport. Sadly, after ensuring that the last crew member had been saved, Mr William Deacon, helicopter winchman, was lost to the tempest, he was posthumously awarded the George Medal for bravery.

Lifeboat coxwain Hewitt Clark was awarded the RNLI's highest honour, the Gold medal, for his part in the rescue.

External link

• The Marine Accident Report 5/99
• The Memorial Cairn to William, (Bill), Deacon