A SECTION of Saltcoats Harbour had to be cordoned off last Tuesday after a number of maritime distress flares were spotted just below the surface.

An eagle-eyed member of the public spotted the suspect items just before lunch time and contacted the Coastguard. Members of the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team were then dispatched to the area to investigate. The team members on scene were able to quickly locate the items however were unable to recover them due to the tidal conditions at the time.

A spokesperson for the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team said: “Team members were deployed to Saltcoats harbour to investigate reports of flares under the surface within the harbour. Once on scene, the items were quickly located and identified as maritime distress flares.

“Due to the level of the tide however it was unsafe to attempt to recover the flares. The team have returned to the harbour later in the day when conditions were more favourable for recovery with a section of the harbour being cordoned off to ensure the safety of the public prior to the operation beginning.

“Shortly after 7pm, the team deployed within the harbour including a water rescue operator who entered the water and recovered three time expired distress flares which expired in 2003. The combination of being significantly out of date and the fact they had been submerged in water meant they posed a significant risk to the public.

“The flares were recovered, examined and made safe for immediate transportation to Girvan for disposal with the harbour then being reopened to members of the public.

“Given the location of the three flares, it would appear they were intentionally placed within the harbour as opposed to being washed up from somewhere else out at sea. Maritime flares can be extremely dangerous in the wrong hands and pose a risk when out of date. We would urge anyone who has flares that are out of date to dispose of them responsibly at a suitable chandlers within a marina or to seek further guidance about safe disposal.

“Dumping time expired flares or tossing them overboard is reckless and dangerous to the public and also to the Coastguard Rescue Teams who are tasked to deal with them – it’s also against the law.”

The Coastguard Rescue Service is made up of specially trained and equipped volunteers who are on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year to respond to those in need at the coast.

Keep up-to-date with the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team online at facebook.com/ardrossancoastguard and on Twitter @ArdrossanCRT.