Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Licence needed for work use Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Police Alert

Police Alert

Location: Upper North Island
District: National Alerts

Over the past few days there have been a number of reports of flare sightings around upper North Island. Vendors are selling Chinese lanterns that are capable of reaching heights of several hundred feet. The lanterns are being mistaken as distress flares from boaties. Emergency Services are required to investigate distress flares so any false activations are a waste of valuable resources. If the public are going to light lanterns, they need to use any other colour than red which is the international distress colour. Can you please advise the public of the difference between distress flares and the Chinese lanterns.

Distress flares are propelled to a height of around 300M. They then ignite and glow a very intense red colour and slowly decend over about 40-60 seconds.

The laterns accend and stay in the air for several minutes and the light will not be as bright.

If a member of the public sees what they believe to be a distress flare can they observe the following:
Is the flare falling or staying at a constant height?
How bright is the light?
What colour is the light?
How long has the flare been in the air?
Try and get some markers to pin point where the flare is?

Please view the full details of the alert online at:

http://www.police.govt.nz/news/updates/21964.html

ENDS

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

Featured News Channels