A green laser light hindered a Coast Guard boat crew while underway near the Squalicum Harbor area of Bellingham, Wednesday night.
Mfame carried an article a week ago on Navigational Hazard! Laser Pen Attack on a Hampshire Ferry. This time a USCG boat crew suffered a green laser light attack thereby ending a valuable training opportunity due to medical concerns.
A 45-foot Response Boat – Medium, from Coast Guard Station Bellingham was forced to return to base after the green light laser attacked the crew which underwent training onboard. Subsequently, the training came to an end.
Watchstanders at Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound were notified of the incident by the affected boat crew at 8:30 p.m and a backup boat crew had to be called to stand the remainder of the watch.
Cmdr. Brian Meier, Sector Puget Sound Response Department head said: “Boat and helicopter operators can be temporarily blinded by green laser lights during night operations, There have been several laser light incidents in Washington involving not only our crews, but commercial operators as well. As a safety authority, we are very concerned about these incidents causing accidents or delaying emergency responses.”
A scheduled routine operations with a helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles was cancelled following the laser attack. The local harbor security office and Watcom County police responded to the location near Boulevard Park, but were unable to locate the suspected violators.
If anybody has any information about this incident or other green laser light incidents, they are encouraged to contact their local Coast Guard unit or local law enforcement.
Source: USCG News
