Coast Guard aircrew member hurt in laser strike

PORT ANGELES — A Coast Guard helicopter crew member suffered eye damage when he was stuck by green laser lights while training in Port Angeles.

He and two other members of the MH-65 Dolphin helicopter crew landed safely after being hit by a laser several times at about 9 p.m. Wednesday, the Coast Guard said.

The aircrew conducted visual acuity tests with the duty corpsman and, after consultation with the flight surgeon, two of the three aircrew members were medically grounded until they received further examination by an optometrist.

One of the crew members was found to have suffered eye damage and was grounded for seven days. The crew member will be reevualuted this week, said Petty Officer Amanda Norcross on Friday.

The other crew member was grounded for two hours but has since returned to duty, Norcross said.

The Coast Guard is seeking information from the public about the person or persons who directed the laser light at the helicopter while it was training at Coast Guard Air Station/Sector Field Office Port Angeles.

The laser light originated from the area of Fourth and Eighth streets on the east side of Lincoln Street.

“These types of incidents can be very dangerous to the safety of our aircrews and always disrupt our ability to respond as a search and rescue asset,” said Capt. Mark Hiigel, commanding officer at the Port Angeles Coast Guard station.

Because members of the crew were medically grounded, Naval Air Station Whidbey Island and Sector Columbia River in Warrenton, Ore., became responsible for covering the Port Angeles station’s area of responsibility until port Angeles aircrews were medically cleared or replaced, he said.

“We need the general public to understand that the dangers of playing with green laser lights not only degrade Coast Guard response capabilities, placing mariners at risk, but can permanently damage eyesight,” Hiigel said.

Laser pointers are dangerous because they can cause glare, after-image, flash blindness or temporary loss of night vision.

If a laser is shined in the eyes of an aircrew member, Coast Guard flight rules dictate that the aircraft must abort its mission.

Aiming a laser pointer at an aircraft is a felony offense under 18 U.S. Code Section 39A, which states whoever knowingly aims the beam of a laser pointer at an aircraft in the special aircraft jurisdiction of the United States, or at the flight path of such an aircraft, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.

Coast Guard Investigative Service agents have notified the Port Angeles Police Department, which will assist if asked to do so, said Deputy Police Chief Jason Viada.

Anyone with information about the case is encouraged to contact Coast Guard investigators at 206-220-7170.

The Coast Guard has reported laser strikes in Port Angeles on April 20, 2015; Nov. 30, 2015; and Sept. 26, 2016; as well as on April 20 2016 near the Squalicum Harbor area of Bellingham where a Port Angeles helicopter crew and a Bellingham boat crew were training.

For more information about laser safety and the effects of an aircraft laser incident, see http://www.faa.gov/about/initiatives/lasers/.

More in News

A demonstrator carrying an American flag walks the sidewalk in front of the Clallam County Courthouse on Saturday. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Demonstrators march at courthouse

A demonstrator carrying an American flag walks the sidewalk in front of… Continue reading

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast, communicate with their friends by text while waiting for the start of the 2025 graduation parade on Friday. The parade began at Ediz Hook and culminated with a formal ceremony Friday evening at Port Angeles Civic Field. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Graduation parade

Port Angeles High School twin graduates Kaylie Mast, left, and Kendall Mast,… Continue reading

Suzy Ames.
College pivoting to meet deficit

School cuts more than $2 million in expenses

Pleasant Harbor Resort still seeking approval

Disagreements lead to delays and layoffs

Retiring Port Angeles School District Superintendent Marty Brewer, right, shares a career experience as his replacement, Michelle Olsen, listens during a retirement gathering on Thursday at Lincoln Center in Port Angeles. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Olsen sworn in as PASD superintendent

Stevens Middle School name change proposed with four options

Two hospitalized following head-on collision

Two people were transported to Olympic Medical Center following… Continue reading

Royal Canadian Navy to conduct exercises

The Royal Canadian Navy’s Maritime Forces Pacific will conduct… Continue reading

Power outage scheduled in Freshwater Bay area

Clallam County Public Utility District No. 1 has scheduled power… Continue reading

Slope repair work slated for Highway 19 on Tuesday

Maintenance crews from the state Department of Transportation will… Continue reading

Mike O’Brien of Port Angeles watches as his dog, Nara, left, catches a flying disc and his other dog, Copper, waits for his turn to fetch a ball on Thursday at Erickson Playfield in Port Angeles. O’Brien said catch and fetch are favorite activities for his canine companions. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Got it!

Mike O’Brien of Port Angeles watches as his dog, Nara, left, catches… Continue reading

40-week business program under way

Advisor training part of Recompete program