A search and rescue asset is sent and finds the other boat is fine — the flare was set off by someone showing off to friends, not a genuine emergency. Was reporting it still the right call?

A. Yes — reporting the flare was still the correct action; the skipper had no way of knowing in advance it was misuse, and failing to report a real distress signal because it might turn out to be a false alarm would be far more dangerous

B. Reporting it was a waste of everyone's time and should be avoided next time regardless of circumstances

C. Only flares confirmed as genuine in advance should ever be reported

D. No, the skipper should have somehow known in advance not to bother reporting it

A. Assume it is probably just someone messing about and ignore it completely

B. Only react if the flare is white rather than red, since red flares are never serious

C. Treat it as a genuine distress signal until proven otherwise — note the position and time, and make a Mayday relay or alert the Coastguard on VHF Channel 16, since any flare seen at sea must be assumed real until confirmed otherwise

D. Wait at least an hour to see if a second flare follows before doing anything

A. The boat's own position, the approximate bearing and distance to where the flare was seen, the time, the colour/type of flare if known, and a description of the other vessel if visible

B. Wait until reaching harbour the next day to mention it in person

C. Refuse to give a position, since the flare did not come from SUNBEAM

D. Just say "I saw a flare" with no further detail, since the Coastguard will work out everything else themselves