Starting January 1st Smoke, a loud noise, and a flash of light; a warning from Coast Guard personnel stationed in St. Petersburg, will be caused by the LA 51, used as a signal to potential violators on the water.
“If we’re out doing escort or patrol of any sort and we come across a vessel that we’d like to get their attention, and they are not seeing us or responding to us - we’d fire off a couple of these rounds in the hopes to get their attention,” said USCG Specialist Nathan Jones. “You’d hear a loud bang and at the same time see a very loud flash.”
It’s a change from what they’ve been using - live ammunition fired from the front of the vessel directly into the water, sending splashes in to the air.
Coast Guard officials say LA 51 shells, fired in to the air from a shotgun, are meant to be more eco-friendly and a safer alternative. At the same time, it will get the attention of boaters not responding to radio calls who might pose a threat along the gulf coast. They say they’ve been testing the new device for several years as warning signals during counter-drug operations and other missions.
Live ammunition will still be used under certain circumstances; the new device is one more tool coast guard officials say will help keep our waters safe.