Lasers Will Stop a USCG Search in its Tracks

Hi Joey,

I came across this tonight at the Coast Guard website and was wondering if you would share: Lasers Halt Coast Guard Searches

Apparently  the USCG is looking for help to get the word out about not aiming lasers at their aircraft.  It may sound like a cool idea to hit a low flying helicopter with your laser pointer, but lasers can blind a pilot and crew long enough to end up in a catastrophe.  The Coast Guard has seen a huge increase in laser activity directed at their craft and have instituted a policy where a mission will be terminated and crew grounded immediately should a laser be visible in the aircraft cockpit.  The crew is grounded until they are seen by a physician and cleared to fly a craft again.

The policy is great for the crew of the craft, but if you’re floating around in the Atlantic in the middle of the night and the rescue crew that’s coming to get you is grounded… You wait.  

Thanks,

~Bill OConnor   
North Shore Kid