In 2012 the NSRI (National Sea Rescue Institute) appealed to the public not to release lanterns over the ocean. In China or Thailand thousands of lanterns are released at once, but here in Cape Town the single lanterns released over the ocean look like distress flares and result in hours of time wasted by volunteers, looking for missing vessels.
In this particular case, I watched as the onshore breeze blew the lantern from Clifton 4th beach, up to Victoria Road, and onto the slopes of Table Mountain. It's irresponsible of people to threaten peoples lives and properties for the pleasure of marveling at the pretty light in the sky.
