19 April 2016, 13:30 GMT
WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — A US Coast Guard boat crew had to return to base after being hit by a green laser while training in the US state of Washington, the agency said in a statement.
"Boat and helicopter operators can be temporarily blinded by green laser lights during night operations," Coast Guard Sector Puget Sound Response Department head Cmdr. Brian Meier said on Thursday.
Meier explained that such incidents could cause accidents or delay the crew to respond to an emergency.
The crew aboard a 45-foot response boat had to return to their base, causing the Coast Guard to cancel scheduled routine operations with a helicopter crew from Air Station Port Angeles.
On Thursday, Meier noted that his crew as well as commercial operators have experienced several laser light incidents in Washington state.
