Life raft discovery prompts Coastguard response near Flintshire Bridge
Coastguard teams were called to Flintshire Bridge on Thursday after reports of an object in the water, which was later identified as a life raft.
The first call came at 9.22am, with Coastguard Rescue Officers confirming the object to be a life raft.
Due to the incoming tide, Flint RNLI Lifeboat was requested to assist.
However, the raft became submerged before it could be recovered, and teams were stood down with a plan to return at low tide.
At 2.39pm, Coastguard Rescue Teams from Flint and Wirral were re-tasked to the scene.
A safety handrail system was set up to allow officers to access and search the raft safely.
While checking for signs of use or identification markings, officers found a pack containing live, out-of-date marine flares, also known as Time Expired Pyrotechnics (TEPs).
Rhyl Coastguard Rescue Team, which is trained and authorised to deal with TEPs, attended the scene and safely recovered the flares for disposal.
Once the scene was declared safe, the teams removed what remained of the life raft to prevent marine or wildlife from becoming trapped at future high tides. The raft was later taken ashore for collection.
A spokesperson said: “Time Expired Pyrotechnics are still explosive devices and can be very dangerous, even when they look old or harmless.”
Members of the public are reminded not to touch any washed-up marine equipment or flares. Anyone who finds such items should call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
Further guidance on the safe disposal of marine flares is available at www.gov.uk/guidance/disposing-of-unwanted-marine-flares.
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