Beware! Laser Pen Attack on a Hampshire Ferry
A Ferry full of passengers has become the latest target of a laser pen attack, causing what was described as a dangerous “navigational hazard”.
United Kingdom’s Ministry Of Defence Police reported that “on 03/02/2016 person or persons unknown shining a laser light into the bridge of the Isle Of Wight ferry, causing a navigational hazard”.
Based on it reports say that the Rail and Maritime Union has called on ferry companies to issue crews with advice and support to deal with any future laser pen attacks.
The blinding light was reportedly aimed at the bridge of an Isle of Wight vessel as it crossed the Solent and similar such attacks on planes, trains and cars has been reported.
General secretary Mike Cash said: “It is a sinister and worrying development that the abuse of laser pens has now extended to the UK ferry industry.”
“The dangers of crew being blinded when manoeuvring vessels close to land are obvious and terrifying.”
Details of the incident were released in response to a Freedom of Information request submitted to the Ministry of Defence.
The operator has not been named and the staff of all three companies said they had no knowledge of any incident involving a laser pen.
Source: GOV
