A MARITIME parachute distress flare was found on Barassie beach during a beach clean-up over the weekend.
Shortly after 10.30am on Sunday, February 25, the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team were called out after reports of a flare was discovered during a beach cleaning event, organised by Friends of Troon Beach.
It was later confirmed, once the team were on site, that the object was a time expired maritime parachute distress flare – they made the flare safe for recovery and transported it to Girvan Coastguard Station for safe storage and disposal.
A spokesperson for Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team, said: “The team responded immediately and met up with the volunteer beach cleaners who had followed our recent safety advice and hadn’t touched or moved the item and immediately contacted the Coastguard.
“Any maritime distress flare which is discarded poses a risk to the public as they contain an explosive charge. This type in particular had additional risks associated with it as it was time expired (out of date) and also contained a projectile which launches the flare into the air.
“Thankfully in this instance the item was correctly identified as a hazard and the team were able to quickly be on scene to secure the item and mitigate the risks posed.
“The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team has recently launched a beach clean safety initiative and are urging any beach cleaning community groups to get in touch to allow the team to provide a brief safety input covering maritime flares and ordnance.
“We are glad that only one week after the launch of this initiative, a community beach cleaning group has successfully followed our safety advice after discovering a flare.
“We would also urge boat owners and any other person in possession of time expired flares to dispose of them correctly, responsibly and legally by contacting your local chandler or attending at Girvan Coastguard Rescue Station which is open every Sunday morning between 9am and 1pm for free flare disposal.”
If you are organising a beach clean event in Ayrshire please get in touch via through the team’s social media feeds or e-mail ardrossancoastguard@gmail.com where they will be happy to provide a safety input on distress flares and what to do if you find something you think could be a flare or a piece of ordnance.
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