BELLINGHAM — A green laser light interrupted Coast Guard training between a Bellingham boat crew and a Port Angeles helicopter crew.
The boat crew was hit by a green laser light while underway near the Squalicum Harbor area of Bellingham at about 8:30 p.m. Wednesday.
A scheduled routine operation with a helicopter crew from the Port Angeles base was canceled so the boat crew members could return to their base and be medically examined.
Green laser lights can temporarily blind operators of vessels and aircraft during night operations, potentially causing medical issues, the Coast Guard said.
In December, a laser was shined at a Port Angeles MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew while it was airborne.
The crew aborted the mission and landed safely at Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles.
“There have been several laser light incidents in Washington involving not only our crews but commercial operators as well,” said Cmdr. Brian Meier, Sector Puget Sound Response Department head.
“As a safety authority, we are very concerned about these incidents causing accidents or delaying emergency responses.”
The local harbor security office and Whatcom County police were unable to find who had shined the green laser.
