Helicopter landing areas and identity codes for rocks needed in rescues
The co-ordination of rescues at sea and on islands can be better aided meeting hears
There are a number of factors that must be taken into account when it comes to rescue services being called out to sea and onto islands, it was suggested at a meeting of Coiste na n-Oileán which was held on Arranmore Island recently.
Gola Islander, Eddie Joe McGee said there should be areas of land recognised for the landing of helicopters on each island. He said that when the emergency services are called out to islands they need to know where they can land.
Mr McGee said that kayaking around the island was now a common occurrence and that you could never be certain when a helicopter would need to land on the island as part of a rescue. A member of the Bunbeg Coast Guard, he said that a drone was used in a recent rescue at sea and commended the vital piece of equipment that will be of use in many future operations.
Many people are also climbing rock formations at the back of Gola Island and Mr McGee said it was important that a mountain rescue team be once again assembled as the helicopter and rescue services could be in other places when emergencies arise on Gola.
Councillor Micheál Choilm Mac Giolla Easbuic also suggested that rocks in the sea should have an identity code as there is, at times, confusion in relation to where islands are and that this is especially important in times of rescue.