Warning over coast flare hoax

False distress signals led to ‘waste of vital resources’

Thousands of pounds of lifesaving resources were wasted over the weekend after a volley of flares were set off with suspected malicious intent in Aberdeen. Both of the RNLI’s lifeboats in the city were sent out to sea at 9.35pm on Friday after sightings, confirmed by the coastguard, of six red distress flares over the Aberdeen Harbour and Girdleness Head areas.

One of the vessels searched from Victoria Bridge to the entrance to the harbour, while the other was tasked with looking around the waters near Girdleness lighthouse. Coastguard officers joined the search onshore.

However, despite extensive efforts, no trace of anyone in trouble was found and it is now believed the flares were set off maliciously.

The RNLI is a charity and depends on the public’s support to carry out its lifesaving services for those in trouble at sea.

The organisation’s income from fundraising has been severely impacted as a result of Covid-19 and incidents like the false call-out on Friday do little to help the organisation’s finances stay afloat.

Michael Cowlam, second coxswain of the Aberdeen lifeboat, said: “No further distress signals were seen or received and with nothing found, the lifeboats returned to base by 11pm.”

The station’s operations manager, Bill Deans, added: “This irresponsible act forced nine RNLI volunteers to abandon social distancing to crew the lifeboats.

“It tied up valuable search and rescue resources at sea and ashore. This malicious false alarm also wasted thousands of pounds of charitable donations by Aberdonians to fund their lifeboats.”

Anyone with information that can help the police can call 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Photograph by Mark Gray SEARCH: The RNLI found no trace of anyone in trouble.