Friday, March 29

Coast Guard Reports Laser Strikes on Ships in the Chesapeake

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This is just nuts. Someone is shining laser lights on the helm stations of commercial ships in the Chesapeake near Solomons, in the area between Drum Point and Cove Point. On one recent night four strikes between midnight and 3 a.m. targeted three separate ships and a pilot vessel. There had been three more strikes in the previous days, and several in the past month. Each time the strikes lasted about 15 minutes, long enough to do some serious damage to the helmsman’s ability to see and navigate safely at night.

“Laser lights, and other bright lights, can be a hazard to navigation,” says Coast Guard Lt. Trish Elliston. “The most likely scenario is the laser would blind or distract a pilot, which would prevent the pilot from seeing a smaller vessel. This could cause a collision or other serious incident in the shipping channel.”

The Laser Safety Act makes it a misdemeanor to shine a laser on someone operating a motor vehicle, a vessel or an aircraft. The maximum penalty is ten years in jail and a $2,500 fine. The Coast Guard asks anyone with information about these laser strikes to call 410 576-2525, or email: cgis-baltimore@uscg.mil.

For more: http://coastguardnews.com/coast-guard-warns-of-laser-strikes-to-commercial-vessels-in-national-capitol-region/2017/05/04/

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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