Lifeboat transfers firefighters to West Cork island tonight to tackle gorse blaze

Baltimore RNLI were called out earlier this evening to transport firefighters out toa fire on Heir island off the coast of west Cork.

The volunteer lifeboat crew launched their all-weather lifeboat at 5.46pm, following a request from the Irish Coast Guard to carry nine firefighters from Skibbereen Fire Station, out to a gorse fire on Heir Island.

The lifeboat was tasked as it was the quickest available means to get the fire brigade crews to the island.

The lifeboat arrived at the pier on Heir Island at 5.59pm where the firefighters disembarked. 

The lifeboat then returned to the station in Baltimore, arriving at 6.25pm.

Along with the fire brigade crews, there were five volunteer lifeboat crew onboard, coxswain Aidan Bushe, mechanic Cathal Cottrell and crew members Emma Geary, Stuart Musgrave and Conor Harrington.

Assisting at the lifeboat station was Micheal Cottrell. Conditions during the call out were calm with a south easterly force 3-4 wind.

Speaking following the call out, Kate Callanan, Baltimore RNLI Volunteer Lifeboat Press Officer said: 

‘This is a good example of how Baltimore RNLI often work alongside other emergency services.

“We are often tasked to carry emergency personnel such as fire or ambulance crew out to incidents on the islands off the coast of Baltimore.

“If you ever find yourself in difficulty on an island and in need of emergency assistance, call 999 or 112 and ask for the Coast Guard.’