“The team was called to check on the welfare of a crew of a vessel that had been thought to be out of control near to the mouth of the Tyne. After deploying what appeared to be a red smoke flare, the boat then returned upriver. The coastguard received calls raising concern for the safety of the crew, with the Brigade dispatched to check everyone was ok. On scene, the team found that the’red’ flare had in fact been ‘pink’ and the crew had been helping a couple reveal the gender of their baby! The skipper of the boat was very apologetic and ultimately we’re grateful everyone was safe and well. We send our best wishes to the parents to be. Deploying flares in a coastal environment will always raise concerns that an emergency is taking place. We’d recommend avoiding using flares near the coast in any other circumstances, but if you intend to, please contact Humber Coastguard in advance via either 01262 672317 or VHF Channel 16.
- The couple were celebrating the gender of their unborn baby
- The coastguard received calls raising fears over the safety of those on board the boat
- The boat was seen going round in circles before letting off the pink flare
- The crew was initially assessed as being out of control
| Key Points | Details |
| 1. The couple were celebrating the gender of their unborn baby | The boat was seen going round in circles before letting off the pink flare, prompting concerns over the safety of those on board |
| 2. The coastguard received calls raising fears over the safety of those on board the boat | The boat then returned upriver after deploying the flare, leading to a response from the Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade |
| 3. The crew was initially assessed as being out of control | The coastguard found that the’red’ flare was actually pink, and the crew was helping a couple reveal the gender of their baby |
On Saturday, June 22nd, a couple in North Shields, North Tyneside, took their unborn baby’s gender reveal to an unexpected and potentially hazardous level. A pink flare was fired from a boat to reveal the gender of the baby, but was mistaken for a distress signal, sparking a huge emergency response by nearby rescue teams.
The coastguard received calls raising fears over the safety of those on board the boat, prompting them to dispatch six members from Tynemouth Volunteer Life Brigade. When the team arrived, they soon realised the red flare was actually pink, and that a couple were on board the boat celebrating the gender of their unborn baby.
The skipper of the boat was apologetic for the confusion. A TVLB spokesperson said: “The team was called to check on the welfare of a crew of a vessel that had been thought to be out of control near to the mouth of the Tyne. We’d recommend avoiding using flares near the coast in any other circumstances, but if you intend to, please contact Humber Coastguard in advance via either 01262 672317 or VHF Channel 16.
Fortunately, the parents and baby were unharmed and the incident has been described as a “funny misunderstanding.” The couple, who wish to remain anonymous, said they were initially worried when they saw the coastguard arriving at the scene, but were relieved to discover that their baby was a girl.
The incident serves as a reminder of the importance of communication and planning when it comes to using flares in a coastal environment. The couple’s decision to use a pink flare to reveal the gender of their baby was meant to be a fun and memorable moment, but it ultimately ended in chaos.
As one TVLB spokesperson noted, “Deploying flares in a coastal environment will always raise concerns that an emergency is taking place. We’d recommend avoiding using flares near the coast in any other circumstances, but if you intend to, please contact Humber Coastguard in advance via either 01262 672317 or VHF Channel 16.”
The couple’s experience highlights the need for careful planning and consideration when using flares in a coastal environment. It’s a lesson that will be remembered by the couple and by those in the coastal community for a long time.
Meanwhile, the incident has sparked a wave of support for the couple, with many people taking to social media to congratulate them on their baby’s gender and to offer words of encouragement.
Similar Incidents
- Alyssa and Christian, from Missouri, US, documented what was meant to be a special moment on TikTok, with the clip racking up more than 30 million views.
- In November 2023, a couple were left baffled when they decided to cut into a coloured cake to find out the gender of their first baby, which did not go to plan.
The couple’s experience serves as a reminder that even the most well-intentioned plans can go awry. The incident highlights the importance of being aware of the potential risks and consequences of using flares in a coastal environment.
Ultimately, the couple’s baby is safe, and that’s all that matters. The incident serves as a reminder to be mindful of the potential risks and to take the necessary precautions when using flares in a coastal environment.
In the meantime, the couple is enjoying their new addition and is looking forward to a happy and healthy future with their baby.
As one TVLB spokesperson said, “We’re grateful that everyone was safe and well.