Advisory – Use of Marine Flares
Sat, 2008-11-01
The Marine Police Unit would like to remind the public about the proper use of marine distress flares. Marine distress flares are only to be used in an emergency situation where a vessel is in need of urgent assistance. At no time should they be deployed from land. Severe burns and injury can result to the person setting the flare off and to others if the device is not used in the correct manner.
In a recent incident over Halloween, red distress flares were deployed by pranksters in the Heron Bay area. Marine Units were deployed to the area, until Marine Unit officers witnessed another flare deployed from land. There have also been several incidents earlier this year of a similar nature where distress flares have been set off from the Admiralty Park area and Jews Bay area.
Marine Unit officers always treat all red marine distress flare sightings as genuine and respond accordingly, often in adverse weather conditions placing themselves at risk. Setting off marine distress flares for any other reason can also delay emergency responders from attending genuine reports and result in unnecessary expenses. Therefore the public are advised not to abuse their usage.
