Safety move on Chinese lanterns

Tuesday 9th February 2010, 2:56PM GMT.

A troublesome sky lantern.

JERSEY Coastguard is holding a demonstration tomorrow to show people the difference between sky lanterns and distress flares.

They will release flares and sky lanterns from St Aubin’s beach so that members of the pubic can recognise which one is set off in a genuine emergency and which one isn’t.

The move follows a spate of call-outs for the Coastguard, including one on New Year’s Eve.

Volunteers from St Helier lifeboat had been preparing for their own new year celebrations when they received a call from a concerned member of the public who had spotted flares in the sky near Elizabeth Castle.

But after a half-hour search, nothing was found except Chinese lanterns floating in the water.

Those wishing to take part should meet at 6 pm at Le Fregate cafe.

See Tuesday’s JEP for full story.

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