Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Team were called to reports of a red flare being fired in Ventnor last night (Tuesday), but it was soon ascertained that it had been fired from dry land.
The team were carrying out monthly checks at the station when Solent Coastguard made them aware of a 999 call that had just come in. It was reported that a red flare had been sighted off Wheelers Bay by a member of the public.
A brief search was carried out in the area of Wheelers Bay car park and it was soon confirmed that the flare had been fired from the local area – not by a seafarer in distress.
A spokesperson for Ventnor CRT has said:
“Red flares are a distress signal and must only be fired in an emergency. If you see a red flare dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard”.
