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Don't use flares as fireworks'

From the Penarth Times, first published Thursday 4th Nov 2004.

THE RNLI in the Vale is warning people not to set off distress flares in place of fireworks because their actions could cost lives.

Gerry Adams is spokesman for the Barry branch. He said: "If people set off the flares without reason on or around Bonfire Night it can cause great problems. We have to discover where the flare been set off to find the boat or person in distress. It may mean calling out the all weather lifeboat and the four inshore crafts which are based around the Bristol Channel from Penarth to Weston-super-Mare. This costs in excess of £15,000.

"It may also mean the coastguard and being called into action, if there is more than one flare set off."

The Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Maritime and Coastguard Agency say that rescuers' lives are put at risk every time lifeboat and helicopter crews are called out, in hazardous winter conditions, to what they assume to be a genuine cry for help.

This problem is increasing each year and may be due to the prolonged Bonfire Night celebrations over several days. In the last three years throughout Britain lifeboat crews were called out 35 times to false alarms. RNLI Staff Officer Operations, Peter Bradley, said: "When a flare goes up it is universally recognised as a distress signal, so it's no surprise to find concerned members of the public dialling 999 when they see one - and they should continue to do so.

"Our volunteer crews are always ready to answer the call, but it is frustrating for them to search through the night because a flare has been fired for the wrong reasons. Not only are they called away from their own family parties on Guy Fawkes' Night, but they are also risking their lives each time they put to sea, needlessly searching in often dangerous conditions."

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