Firing range flares spark lifeboat launch (From Western Telegraph)
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Tenby all weather lifeboat launched after red flares spotted over Freshwater East
11:13am Friday 3rd February 2012 in County News
Tenby all weather lifeboat (ALB) was launched last night (Thursday) following reports of red distress flares over Freshwater East.
A fishing boat heading back to Saundersfoot from the St Govans area reported the red flares to coastguards just before 7pm.
Tenby ALB was tasked and started a search between Old Castle Head and Freshwater, while coastguard units searched the shoreline. Around 15 minutes later it became apparent that infra red flares were being used as part of a live firing exercise at Castle Martin Range.
Units continued to search while Milford Haven coastguard headquarters contacted the MoD. On information received from the MoD, all involved in the search were satisfied that the red flares seen by the fishing vessel were flares from the military exercise and the search was stood down.
Comments(3)
srad
says...
12:20pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Better to be called and not needed than the other way around.
TenbyBoy
says...
12:30pm Fri 3 Feb 12
Even though we had no targets on Radar, nothing visible using Night Vision Equipment or with the naked eye using our Searchlights, we will always carry on our search until we're 100% certain that nobody is in danger.
It was a bit chilly out there though ;-)
Andrew Lye says...
11:36am Fri 3 Feb 12
Shame the lifeboats had to make such a launch.
Maybe the army should liaise more carefully in future to avoid future confusion?