MIAMI – The U.S. Coast Guard said there have been three recent instances of handheld lasers being pointed at its fleet.
A Coast Guard news release Tuesday said that two incidents were reported in the past 24 hours.
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An 87-foot patrol boat was targeted with a laser while patrolling Tuesday near Sanibel Island. Crew members said the green laser came from land.
Later that day, a rescue helicopter crew reported being targeted with a green laser originating from land about a mile south of Punta Salina, Puerto Rico.
A Coast Guard cutter crew also reported a laser strike May 10 while crews were conducting a safety inspection near the Venetian Causeway.
The Coast Guard is warning that pointing handheld lasers at its boats and air crews is dangerous and illegal.
Pointing a laser at an aircraft is a federal crime punishable by a fine of up to $250,000 and a five-year prison term.
All three incidents are being investigated.
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