An Cosantóir

www.military.ie the defence forces magazine | 19 As they edged closer to the fishing vessel, the appalling con- ditions and severe gale made it apparent that neither a board- ing nor a rescue would be possible. As the Gemini returned, strong winds and high waves capsized the craft, throwing both crewmen into the sea. A/Sea Kellett was washed ashore, where, despite his exhaustion, he managed to clamber to safety over the sharp rocks. An extensive search by LÉ Deirdre, assisted by an RAF Sea King helicopter, merchant vessels Shell Technician and Shell Marketer, and the fishing vessel Ben Chourn, failed to locate L/ Sea Quinn. The following morning an Air Corps Dauphin helicopter based in Shannon joined the search. At 0800hrs on the 31st, it recovered the sailor's body three miles east of the tragic scene. He was only 27 at the time of his death; A/Sea Kellett was 21. An RAF Sea King helicopter subsequently rescued the 16- man crew of the trawler. In recognition of L/Sea Quinn's gallantry and devotion to duty, the minister for defence made a posthumous award of the DSM. The King of Spain awarded him with a posthumous Spanish Cross of Naval Merit in recognition of his brave at- tempts to rescue the Spanish crewmen. A/Sea Kellett was also awarded both medals in equal recognition of his bravery and commitment to service. Two years after the tragedy, the Dublin Branch of the Irish Naval Association was renamed the Leading Seaman Michael Quinn Branch in his memory. His DSM citation reads: 'For displaying leadership, devotion to duty and courage to the extent of losing his own life, in that he volunteered for and undertook a hazardous mission under adverse conditions to locate and reconnoitre a stricken vessel in order that a rescue could be effected on the crew of the FV Gardotza, grounded on the Roan Carrigbeg Rocks, Co Cork on the night of the 30th of January 1990.' Publilius Syrus, a Syrian slave who found prominence and fame in Rome as a playwright, scholar and philosopher wrote, "Man's life is short; and therefore an honourable death is his immortality." Michael Quinn's legacy will live on, inspiring others to join the ranks and wear the uniform with pride and distinction; putting other seafarers' needs before their own. Fondly re- membered, 1962-1990. No safe haven for drug cartels: present day honours On the 2nd February, Minister with Responsibility for Defence Mr Paul Kehoe TD, accompanied by Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces Vice Admiral Mark Mellett DSM, attended a ceremony at Haulbowline to award a DSM to Lt Cdr Jamie Cotter for his actions as Boarding Officer during one of the largest drug seizures in the history of the State. The intense operation, involving several units of the Naval Service, LÉ Niamh, LÉ Roisin, LÉ Orla, the Garda National Drugs Unit, and Customs drugs law enforcement, resulted in the seizure of 1,800kg of cocaine, with an estimated street value of €750 million. The narcotics were hidden onboard a sailing yacht, Dances With Waves, which departed Venezuela, with suspected drop off points off the Cork and Welsh coasts. S/Lt Cotter (since promoted) was nominated for a reconnais- sance patrol, which was conducted in RHIBs under cover of darkness, with the level of perceived resistance unknown and in treacherous sea conditions. Cdr Eugene Ryan (retd) and Lt Cdr Martin Brett also received commendations for their actions during the operation. Cdr Ryan was Commander of Fleet Operations ashore with overall operational responsibility, while Lt Cdr Martin Brett, OC LÉ Niamh, was in tactical command of the multi-ship task group that conducted the boarding.

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