No flares this New Year’s Eve, urges Sea Rescue
Firing expired flares is dangerous and wastes NSRI volunteers' time
THE National Sea Rescue Institute (NSRI) has appealed to members of the public to not use flares as part of their new year celebrations.
Sea Rescue national spokesperson, Craig Lambinon, said flares are to be fired only in an emergency, while expired flares should never be fired.
‘Firing a flare because it is expired is dangerous and wastes hundreds of hours of Sea Rescue volunteers’ time searching for someone who is not in difficulty,’ he said.
‘We are appealing to the public not to set off flares or red distress flares.’
Lambinon said Sea Rescue is also appealing to the public not to shine laser beams at NSRI rescue craft engaged in operations.
‘Laser beams have previously been a huge danger to helicopter crews, when directed at aircraft and, for the first time, laser beams were [recently] shone at Sea Rescue vessels engaged in a search.
‘This completely disrupted the search, endangering the lives of our volunteers and those who we were looking for.
‘Please never shine lasers at anyone, particularly not at rescue operation services at night.’
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