LIFEBOAT crews have hit out at being put “into danger unnecessarily” after they responded to multiple incidents of distress flares being set off as a hoax on the same day.
Largs RNLI volunteers issued the warning after they were dispatched to reports of a red distress flare off the coast in the early hours of Wednesday morning.
The crews were later dispatched again on the same day during a regular training session after a report of an orange flare being spotted.
The Largs RNLI team, along with local Coastguard Rescue Teams, searched the area for anyone in danger during both incidents; however, in both cases no one was traced.
Volunteers have since reminded people that distress flares are an essential piece of safety equipment for people in trouble at sea.
They added that it is essential that flares are not used as fireworks and that they should never be used for entertainment or as a prank.
John Griffiths, Lifeboat operations manager at Largs RNLI, said: “A distress flare could be the only thing standing between someone in danger and a successful rescue.
“Using one inappropriately could instead send volunteer crews into danger unnecessarily and potentially leave someone else waiting for help.
“However, if you see a distress flare or see someone in trouble at sea or along the coast you should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.”
