The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team was called out this morning as part of a pre-arranged operation to dispose of a Time Expired Pyrotechnic.
The time expired rocket flare had been recovered during a beach clean in Argyll with the Kames Coastguard Rescue Team initially securing the item prior to transportation.
Through the operation coordinated by Senior Coastal Operations Officer Steve Muldoon, the Kames Coastguard Rescue Team made the journey to Gourock via ferry with the flare then being taken into the custody of the Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team following a safe and secure handover.
The Ardrossan Coastguard Rescue Team has then conducted the second phase of the journey making the trip south to Girvan Coastguard Rescue Station, the main collection site on the south west coast of Scotland.
The flare was thereafter left in the care of Girvan Coastguard Rescue Team where it will be securely stored until a specialist removal contractor attends for collection and disposal.
Following a mandatory cup of tea and acquiring several of Girvan's finest biscuits, the team has then done the return journey north back to Ardrossan to fuel, clean and repack the vehicle and complete the necessary paperwork before booking off duty after the six hour operation involving three Coastguard Rescue Teams.
Time expired pyrotechnics are extremely dangerous with Coastguard Rescue Teams specially trained and equipped for the safe removal, storage and transportation of a number of maritime related devices.
Coastguard Rescue Teams also work closely with the military Explosive Ordnance Disposal teams from the British Army and the Royal Navy to deal with items which are unsuitable for transportation or cannot be identified.
If you find something you think is a time expired flare or unexploded ordnance, please always keep well back, don't touch anything and immediately contact the emergency services.
Search and Rescue - it's what we do.
In a coastal, beach or cliff emergency dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard.