Parachute rocket idiots on the River Itchen set fire to boat...

J

justapheonix

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While we slept on our yacht last night, this happened:

cockpitforybwstbdside.jpg


cockpitforybwportside.jpg


If you know who was letting parachute rocket flares off just above the bridge on the east bank of the River Itchen last night, please tell Hampshire Police on 0845 045 4545, quoting crime reference number 44070509852, or drop me a PM here.

We're more grateful than words can say to the gentleman who put the fire out with a hose - unaware of the risk he was taking, as the flare was burning right next to the gas locker. Fortunately, I had recently replaced the airtight seal around the locker lid.

Next time you think about letting off a flare for fun, bear the above in mind...
 
As others have said, distress flares are designed to burn at least until they land. Tantamount to incendiaries really. I suspect that if there hadn't been someone with a hose (where did THAT come from?) the grp might have caught & there would be no stopping it.
 
Some people are just total F-U-C-K-W-I-T-S!!!!! /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif
 
Where on the river was it exactly?

We saw someone with a handheld red flare, but didn't see any rocket flares.

What an idiot, I hope they find the person resposible for the damage to your yacht
 
Might be worth trying to get the Evening Echo to run the story tomorrow - that way a few more people might learn that firing para flares should only be done at sea. Just call the news desk - offer a headline like "Yacht saved from flare disaster" and tell'em you've got pix.
 
Welcome to the Forum, pity it wasnt with a nicer subject to deal with.
Pleased that everyone is safe, sorry to see the damage to the boat, praise indeed to the person with the hose.

I think Twister Ken is right, this is a newsworthy item, and should be used to force home the lessons.

After all, I dont think it would have been an average hooligan who did this, it was more than likely a boat owner or similar who owned it in the first place, and let it off.

Look forward to more of your posts in the future.....
 
Thanks for the kind words...

There's a clear safety message to get across, and I have arranged some media coverage to help in that direction. I'll also be doing more over the coming days on that front.

I'm also delighted to say that although it took five lengthy telephone calls to make the police control room staff realise the seriousness of this event, the marine unit officers did arrive, and then set off to follow some leads. I don't have complete information, but I understand that an arrest was made in connection with this and that an individual has been charged with criminal damage. A big 'well done' to the officers involved!

I've been in touch with Pantaenius, my insurers, and I hope that my claim will be resolved with their famous speed and efficiency...
 
And on BBC Radio 5Live now. Very poor publicity for yachties. The Coastguard is not impressed.
 
<he Coastguard is not impressed.>
Nor am I. Flares are for emergency use at sea. Some famous sailors could lead the way instead of celebrating a victory by setting off flares.
 
Funnily enough, that was something I was going to tackle... I agree, we see some very poor examples set by those who indulge in flare-waving on the foredeck...
 
This is clearly an instant of thoughtless stupid and dangerous behaviour, and hopefully they have got the perpetrator and he will be fined.(assuming its a he of course)

I note from the BBC report the increased incidence of flares being used illegally on firework night, and the concern and irritation from the authorities. Then you look at local/national arrangements for the safe disposal of out of date flares.....And there aren't any really. Solve that little bit of nonsense and a some of the problem will disappear.

Tim
 
[ QUOTE ]
Then you look at local/national arrangements for the safe disposal of out of date flares.....And there aren't any really. Solve that little bit of nonsense and a some of the problem will disappear.

Tim

[/ QUOTE ]
An excellent point - there must surely be a relationship.

I have a box of flares going back to 1999 in my garage at home, and all I know is that I have to take them to the CG at Lee-on-Solent. As I never have a need to go there, I am looking at a 80mile round trip just for the purpose, hence why they are still sitting in the garage at home.
 
[ QUOTE ]
Then you look at local/national arrangements for the safe disposal of out of date flares.....And there aren't any really. Solve that little bit of nonsense and a some of the problem will disappear.

Tim

[/ QUOTE ]

I have had a discussion about this with local chandlers (Fox's)
They always used to take in expired flares for disposal. Now it seems they have a problem as they have limited safe storage to keep them in pending collection.
The RN used to send a van round all the CG stations monthly to pick up out of date "ordnance", and the local CG used to do the same for local chandleries.
Apparently the MOD in its wisdom have stopped the monthly collections from CG stations so they can no longer collect from chandleries!!!
Government is a wonderful thing /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Then you look at local/national arrangements for the safe disposal of out of date flares.....And there aren't any really. Solve that little bit of nonsense and a some of the problem will disappear.

Tim

[/ QUOTE ]

I have had a discussion about this with local chandlers (Fox's)
They always used to take in expired flares for disposal. Now it seems they have a problem as they have limited safe storage to keep them in pending collection.
The RN used to send a van round all the CG stations monthly to pick up out of date "ordnance", and the local CG used to do the same for local chandleries.
Apparently the MOD in its wisdom have stopped the monthly collections from CG stations so they can no longer collect from chandleries!!!
Government is a wonderful thing /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
This ain't strictly correct, at least not in Kent. Local teams can still collect (we will even come to your house if it's not too far) and get them shifted to the nearest MRCC - Dover in our case. MoD pick up from Dover instead of the old system of running round all the stations.
This is all a bit precarious, though, it depends on the goodwill of the MoD unit concerned, if they decide they cannot or don't want to do it, that's it.
 
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