Flare struck boat as family slept

The family was asleep when the flare struck

Coastguards have warned people not to set off emergency flares during firework celebrations after a yacht was hit while a family slept inside.

A flare landed on a boat owned by Tim and Judy Atkinson, from Andover, Hampshire, as it was moored in Southampton on Saturday night.

The distress flare hit the cockpit next to a store for gas canisters, but a fellow sailor extinguished the blaze.

Coastguards have recorded an increase in flares being used across the south.

The gas bottles could have exploded and blown the back off the boat Tim Atkinson Yacht owner

About 20 flares were reported in marinas in Southampton and Portsmouth on Saturday night, and dozens more between Portsmouth and Brighton.

A spokesperson for Solent coastguard said: "It is a very difficult time of year for us. Quite a lot of flares were reported on Saturday and it seems to be on the increase."

Mr Atkinson believes the damage to his yacht caused by the burning flare will cost about £1,000 to repair.

However, he is relieved his family was not harmed. His five-year-old daughter Sophie was sleeping in a cabin close to the cockpit.

The fire was put out by another sailor

"It could have been extremely dangerous," he said. "The gas bottles could have exploded and blown the back off the boat.

"Parachute flares are not toys and I cannot begin to tell you how low an impression I have of the people who let them off on fireworks night."

It is illegal to use distress flares unless in an emergency.

There were further reports of flares being used in Dorset.

Portland Coastguard were also informed by a member of public that he would be using his out-of-date flares in a firework display.

A spokesperson said: "We discouraged him because it is illegal and there are potential risks in using these flares, but we were given the impression that he still intended to use them."