Rescue 948: Hat-trick of awards for HM Coastguard helicopter crew

The crew of Rescue 948, an HM Coastguard Search and Rescue Helicopter operated by Bristow Helicopters and based at Stornoway in Scotland, has celebrated three successive award wins in a single night. 

John Carrigan, Chris Whittington, Nam MacLeod and Michael Hennelly (Pictured above with Shipwrecked Mariners' Society President Admiral Sir George Zambellas) have all been recognised for their bravery during a daring operation to rescue two injured fishermen at sea last year. 

The coveted awards included a Crew Commendation from the Shipwrecked Mariner's Society at their annual Skill & Gallantry Awards event in London, and a Brave@Heart award from the Scottish Government at a ceremony in Edinburgh.

A surprise individual award was also issued to Winch Paramedic Norman ‘Nam’ MacLeod for his role in the rescue. Announced by the First Minister of Scotland John Swinney, the St Andrew's Award was received by Bristow Helicopter’s UK Search and Rescue Director Graham Hamilton on Nam's behalf, and is reserved for exceptional acts of bravery and gallantry.

“When I touched down on that deck I can honestly say I encountered the 'startle phenomenon'” said Nam. “I've been a paramedic for almost 30 years and this was the most challenging scene I've ever had to deal with. For the first few seconds it was hard to take everything in and understand what I needed to do first.

"Thankfully it didn't last. My training and experience kicked in and I got to work. I spent an hour on the boat and it was the quickest hour of my life!”

On Wednesday 29 November, Rescue 948 received an urgent call to assist Spanish fishing vessel Lodario, where an accident left one fisherman with severe leg injuries, and another fisherman trapped in the ship’s fishing gear mechanism with similarly critical injuries. 

Arriving at the vessel within an hour, the crew faced difficult weather conditions and heavy seas, while Winch operator John expertly manoeuvred Winch Paramedic Nam onto the chaotic deck to find the casualties.

With language barriers adding to the confusion, and a second helicopter still an hour away, Nam quickly assessed both individuals. He prioritised stopping the bleeding for the most critically injured man and, with the assistance of the team on the aircraft, the first casualty was safely winched on board. 

He then returned to the second casualty, applying tourniquets to both legs and, with the crew’s assistance, the second injured man was successfully evacuated. During the extended transit to Stornoway, Macleod and Carrigan provided vital medical care and both casualties were delivered to safety.  

Virginia McVea, Maritime and Coastguard Agency Chief Executive, praised the crew’s efforts. She said:

“We’re exceptionally proud of the work of colleagues across HM Coastguard, who exemplify the highest levels of professionalism while committing to save lives both on the coast and at sea. 

“Rescue 948’s commendations acknowledge a particularly arduous and challenging operation, during which the lives of two fishermen were saved. Every day, we are enormously grateful to all our emergency services, and we applaud their life-saving work. It is especially heartwarming to see our colleagues and their work honoured with such esteemed awards. 

 “Congratulations and thankyou to the crew of Rescue 948.”

 Bristow Helicopter’s UK Search and Rescue Director Graham Hamilton added: 

“The awards were presented on 1 October at separate events in London and Edinburgh. And, while the Stornoway crew are an impressive bunch, even they couldn't be in two places at once, so while the crew were receiving the award in London, I was honoured to represent them, and Bristow, at the Brave@Heart event in Edinburgh.”