A laser light incident involving a Coast Guard Station Ketchikan boat crew is under investigation.
Coast Guard officials in Juneau said the crew was conducting underway operations on Saturday, Jan. 23, transiting north in the Tongass Narrows aboard the 45-foot Response Boat-Medium when the green laser strike occurred about 8:45 p.m. The crew quickly averted their eyes and transited north out of range of the laser. Laser pointers can cause flash blindness or temporary loss of night vision.
Causing the beam of a laser pointer to strike a vessel operating on the navigable federal waters is a felony crime.
“It is important for the public to understand that using these lasers irresponsibly is dangerous,” said Capt. Stephan White, commander of the Coast Guard Sector Juneau. “It not only puts our oat crews at risk, but it also degrades our ability to respond in emergency situations, which means we may not e able to help if a mariner needs us.”
Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact investigators at 907-463-2117, or anonymously at CGIS tips: https://www.p3tips.com/tipform.aspx?ID=878#
