Nine crew members aboard the West Sailor, which caught fire off the south west coast on Wednesday were taken to hospital today after the stricken vessel was towed ashore today.
None are thought seriously injured but had inhaled "inhaled large quantities of burning oil and rubber fumes", according to the International Transport Federation (ITF) inspector Ken Fleming who met the men when they came ashore.
"Other crew members will undergo medical examinations once the first nine have been seen and treated. Unfortunately the remainder must remain on board for the moment to deal with the possibility of any new emergency," Mr Fleming said
The ship, which had delivered its cargo of sulphuric acid had been anchored in Brandon Bay since the fire broke out in its engine room.
The Malta-registered vessel arrived in Cork Dockyard this afternoon after being towed ashore by the tug Breedbank, with the Irish Naval Vessel Le Aoifeescorting.
The crew had complained that they were not allowed to call for help after the fire and the ITF questioned why it had taken so long to arrange a tug.
But today Mr Fleming said the 15-strong crew were in good spirits after arriving back on shore but keen to be repatriated.
"They say the events of the last few days have taken too much out of them to continue working," Mr Fleming said.