Third Flare Sighting May Be Chinese Lanterns
A third distress flare sighting on the night of Christmas Eve [Dec 24] may have been Chinese Lanterns according to Bermuda Radio officials. This marks the third reported flare sighting this week with the first report on Dec 21st and second report on Dec 23rd.
A Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre [BMOC] spokesperson said, “On Wednesday 24th December 10:22pm, a member of the public reported an apparent distress flare observed from Palmetto Rd. in the direction of Blackwatch Pass.
“Though the colour described was not consistent with a marine distress flare, Bermuda Radio made broadcasts requesting any vessels in need of assistance to contact Bermuda Radio in relation to the possibility of a flare launch. Also, a police land unit was requested to make observations in the area but reported nothing un-usual.
“There were no RADAR contacts observed consistent with the sighting and no other sightings reported nor vessels reported in difficulty or overdue. It was concluded that what was observed may have been Chinese Lanterns.”
Officials have previously said, “Bermuda Maritime Operations Centre and the Bermuda Police Service welcome notice from those launching ‘Chinese Lanterns’ of the intention to do so, when and where, so that this source can be eliminated from false alerts.”
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Category: All, Environment
Should we not encourage the general public to report lightings of these to the BMOC and Bermuda Radio somee can ensure we are all informed and can be confident in the sightings reported?
I know in not all instances is this going to be ideal if people don’t follow through but at least we are all trying to get on the same page…