Improper Flare Gun Use

THE MARQUETTE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE IS WARNING THE PUBLIC THAT IT IS ILLEGAL TO USE A FLARE GUN OR EMERGENCY SIGNALING DEVICE WHEN YOU ARE NOT IN DISTRESS.

HERE’S WHY:

SATURDAY EVENING AROUND 9–30, MARINE PATROL DEPUTIES WITH THE MARQUETTE COUNTY SHERIFFS OFFICE AND THE U–S COAST GUARD WATERCRAFT AND HELICOPTER RESPONDED TO THE HIDDEN BEACH AREA NEAR MIDDLE ISLAND POINT AFTER RECEIVING SEVERAL CALLS ABOUT RED FLARES BEING SEEN OVER THE WATER.

THE OFFICERS PERFORMED AN EXTENSIVE SEARCH, BUT COULDN’T LOCATE A WATERCRAFT IN DISTRESS.

THE DEPUTIES DID LOCATE SEVERAL YOUNG ADULTS THE BEACH WHO WERE BELIEVED TO HAVE BEEN IGNITING ILLEGAL FIREWORKS OVER LAKE SUPERIOR.

MICHIGAN AND FEDERAL LAWS PROHIBITS THE USE OF A FLARE GUN UNLESS A PERSON REASONABLY BELIEVES THAT IT’S USE IS NECESSARY FOR THE SAFETY OF THE PERSON OR OF ANOTHER PERSON ON THE WATERS OF THIS STATE OR IN AN AIRCRAFT EMERGENCY SITUATION.