2 men set off flares near friends wedding for social media, triggered hours long coast guard search

[Demovictory9]

Evidence in DoJ documents included images from video the men shared on social media. (Department of Justice)


They Fired Flares at Wedding, Triggered a $104K Search
Rhode Island men have been fined $5K each
Two Rhode Island men have been fined $5,000 each for setting off flares near a friend's wedding reception last year—which isn't enough to cover the cost of the Coast Guard search operation that ensued. A Department of Justice release states that a search carried out after residents reported seeing red distress flares cost nearly $104,000. Local authorities and the Coast Guard participated in an hours-long search of waters off Block Island and the shoreline, the Washington Post reports. According to court documents, Perry Phillips and Benjamin Foster discharged the flares from a skiff as they approached the wedding reception at around 9:30pm on June 6 last year. According to court records, they fired three flares from a flare gun they had borrowed from a friend.

The distress signal was reported to the New Shoreham harbormaster, who contacted police and the Coast Guard. Authorities, who initially sought to recover the full cost of the search, say Phillips, 31, and Foster, 33, should have known better. At least one of the defendants, "by virtue of prior training and experience, knew that the flares were a sign or signal of maritime distress and should not be used absent such distress," and "both understood that it was improper to use them as they did," the DOJ says. The "needless and expensive" search involved a Coast Guard boat and two Coast Guard helicopters, authorities say.

Court documents state that Phillips and Foster, unaware that their actions had led to a search operation, posted video of themselves firing the flares on social media, reports the Providence Journal. A settlement agreement released Tuesday states that a civil complaint against the men will be dismissed when they have paid $5,000 each. The agreement states they have provided "sworn statements and documentation" that they lack the financial means to pay the costs of the search operation.

https://www.newser.com/story/311873/men-fined-10k-for-firing-flares-to-celebrate-wedding.html

[sarcasmo]

1. They should have been fined the 104k.

[cinematicdiversions]

2. Yeah that seems a bit of a no brainer nt

[thucythucy]

3. It's not just the cost of the search operation.

Any time Coast Guard or others engage in operations like this, there is always the risk that someone might get hurt. The risk may be small since these folks are trained professionals, but it's never zero--and the sea is never to be trifled with.

It's the same as when fire crews go out on a false alarm. People can get hurt in such a situation, and for someone to be injured---or worse--on account of a stupid prank is criminal.

[Hekate]

4. Stupid stupid stupid. They should be fined the full cost.

[Luciferous]

7. Precisely!

[Tanuki]

8. I thoroughly agree. Even if they don't have the cash on hand, they

should be tasked with paying off the balance over time. Pick up an extra job on the weekends if necessary. Each guy, earning even an extra $100 a week, could pay it off in 10 years. Or, let them work it off in meaningful community service equal in dollar terms to the cost of the search. It galls me that these two chumps get to pass the cost of the search along to everyone else. As the article said, it was clear from their backgrounds and experience that they knew perfectly well that what they were doing was illegal and would trigger an emergency reaction.

[PJMcK]

6. I'm an avid recreational boater

This was a really stupid stunt and these idiots should face sterner penalties. A false emergency call for help coupled with the risks and expense of a search and rescue operation should warrant more than a fine. I don’t care if the perpetrators can’t afford it; that’s the whole point of deterrence and penalties.

The professionals who wasted their time and resources might have been needed elsewhere.

These two fools could have used white “practice” flares for their stunt and there wouldn’t have been any problems. They were too stupid, though.

Will other boaters be believed if they signal for help?