Flare warning after false alarms

[Fishing Forum Admin]

Flare warning after false alarms - The RNLI is warning that people who let emergency flares off illegally are wasting valuable volunteer time. Four lifeboats in the south west have been launched in the last fortnight to search after flares were sighted. In three cases the volunteer crews were not needed as the flares had been set off on land.

Both the inshore and all weather lifeboats at Ilfracombe were launched at 6am one morning after two flares were stolen from a boat stored on the quay and fired off on neighbouring cliffs. The St Ives all weather lifeboat was sent out at ten one evening following three independent reports of red flares being sighted off Pendeen. Coastguards found the flare casings on cliffs the next day. Weymouth all weather lifeboat was out on exercise last week when the volunteer crew were diverted to search after reports of red flares being fired. It was later discovered they had been let off on land.

Kevin Riley, RNLI Sea Safety Coordinator in the south west, says: ‘False alarms cause a host of problems. They tie up volunteer lifeboat crews on unnecessary launches. People must treat flares seriously and understand their value to someone who is in genuine trouble.’

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[pingu]

watched them recording that on exmouth docks yesterday, totally agree
shop opposite where they were filming sells them as well lol

[A fluff chucker]

At least , I believe now it's illegal now to sell flares at the Boat Jumbles. Years ago that was a good supply for kids.

Unfortunately we can't stop people thieving unless we perhaps chop off their hands - job well done I'd say.

Might be a good idea for the manufacturers to initially put up the flare price and then offer a part exchange discount to buyers who hand in their 'out of date' flares .