Rescue 116


I painted this evocative mural in 2022 a tribute to all sea rescuers who risk their lives on a daily basis to save people in danger at sea. I was deeply moved by the sad story which inspired my mural

In the early hours of 14 March 2017, a Sikorsky S-92 helicopter operated by CHC Helicopter under contract to the Irish Coast Guard (call sign Rescue 116) en route from Dublin crashed into the sea while supporting a search and rescue operation off the west of Blacksod Bay, County Mayo.

Tragically, all four crew members on board -  Captain Dara Fitzpatrick, Chief Pilot Mark Duffy, winch operator Paul Ormsby, and winch man Ciarán Smith - were killed.

The Air Accident Investigation Unit released its final report on 5 November 2021. It concluded that the probable cause was that while the helicopter was flying towards its intended landing spot at 200 ft, at night, in poor weather, the crew was unaware of the presence of a 282-foot obstacle, Black Rock Island, on their flight path, which did not appear on the onboard terrain-avoidance system

My tribute reads: "Your sheer dedication to duty will never be forgotten."

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