Coastal Chinese Lanterns Beware!
Chinese Lanterns have been round for centuries. Formulated by the renowned military strategist, Zhuge Liang (also known as Kong Ming), these lanterns were originally used as signalling devices in times of war. Well, it seems that they are leading back to their roots…In an comical turn of circumstances, Chinese lanterns are causing remarkable controversy in coastal regions around the UK because they are being mistook for distress signs. Fresh news has noted that harmless parties commemorating the passing of a loved one or celebrating with their kin have caused chaos when their lanterns angered over-sensitive coastguard officers to alert rescue teams. It would seem that these fluid, slowly ascending paper objects can be all too easy mistook for whopping great flare guns…hmmm.Of course, emergency services are there for a cause; to head off and prevent possible emergencies, far better that they assume the worst than turn a blind eye towards a real life-threatening situation. But really, in this instance, a pair of binoculars might just do the trick. Launching a sky lantern (or many lanterns) is a remarkable way of commemorating an important occasion, whether it be a marriage, birth, or death and it would be truly sad if this were no longer allowed in certain areas. So, if you live in a coastal town and intend to release some Chinese lanterns this weekend, perhaps exercise a little precaution and inform those short-sighted coastguards beforehand!
