Published: October 26, 2008
Burnham-On-Sea Coastguards concerned over ban on emergency flares

Coastguards have this week expressed fears that a government decision to ban the use of emergency flares could put lives at risk.

The Maritime Coastguard
Agency (MCA) has told teams at Burnham-On-Sea, Weston, Clevedon, Portishead and Sharpness, as well as stations across the UK, that they are no longer allowed to send up illuminating flares during search and rescue operations.

The decision comes after an MCA review concluded that the pyrotechnics are outmoded and rarely used.

Yet Burnham-On-Sea.com reported just three weeks ago that the flares, which are fired into the air to help illuminate large areas during night searches, were used during the rescue of a missing man at Brean.

One Burnham Coastguard told Burnham-On-Sea.com this week: "We are unhappy about the situation and have concerns about safety."

The decision could put lives at risk since the flares are not only used to find casualties, but also during 'Emergency Recall Procedures' when Coastguard teams need to draw attention if they have lost radio contact.

The MCA says a fact-finding mission last year suggested there was no "sound operational reason" for the use of flares and claims it did consult with rescuers.

An operational note sent to Coastguards adds: "The findings of the review indicated that very few of the operational pyrotechnics issued were in fact used in the operational response."

Some Coastguards believe health and safety fears and the increased cost of insurance cover may be behind the decision.

Now each Coastguard team manager has been told to dispose of their flares before December 31st.