Coast Guard Crew Hit by Laser, Investigators Say

A Coast Guard boat crew was targeted with a laser from the shore just southwest of Clearwater before dawn on Sunday, according to authorities.

The entire crew experienced loss of night vision, and half the crew received a direct hit from the laser. The boat crew had to return to the station and receive eye exams.

“It is important to point out that the people committing these crimes are not only putting the lives of our helicopter and boat crews in jeopardy, but they are also endangering the lives of their fellow citizens,” Lt. Kathleen Sullivan, a search and rescue coordinator at the sector, said in a release.

“We’re asking the public to help us put an end to this reckless behavior by reporting the illegal use of lasers if they witness it happening."

The station informed Sector St. Petersburg watchstanders that crew aboard a 45-foot response boat experienced a three- to four-second blue-green laser burst while on patrol in the area. 

The laser targeting occurred at about 10:18 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10.

Recently, aircrews in the area have experienced the same hazard from people pointing lasers at helicopters, endangering the crews. 

Any laser poses a significant hazard to flight and boat crews, especially when the helicopter crews are operating at low altitude at night.

Pointing a laser at any aircraft is a federal offense.