NSRI again urges members of the public not to set off Chinese Lanterns around the coast as they are often mistaken for red distress flares.
This follows a wild goose chase involving a sea rescue boat and a Transnet helicopter searching for a boat in distress yesterday.
Cornel du Toit, NSRI Richards Bay station commander, said at 6.23 pm, 17 June sea rescue volunteer duty crew were activated following eye-witness reports of multiple red distress flares sighted off-shore just South of the Richards Bay Port.
“We launched our sea rescue craft Spirit of Richards Bay and the Transnet National Ports Authority helicopter in the air at the time on a routine flight, was diverted to investigate.
“On arrival was discovered that the suspected red distress flares were Chinese Lanterns. It appears a group of people on the beach front had set off Chinese Lanterns that were mistaken to be red distress flares.
“All sea rescue resources then stood-down to return to base.”
(edited)
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