DSC and EPIRB - still need flares?

[BetweenBoats]

About to pick up my new-to-me boat tomorrow.

Looking forward to hitting the swindlery and provisioning her!

Question ... if I buy an EPIRB and have DSC on board do I need flares also? Not looking to scrimp on safety, merely seeking to break the cycle of buying new flares, flares going out of date, flares needing to be safely disposed off.

No blue water cruising for me. Up and down the south coast with France and the Channel Islands a couple of times a year.

Advice?

 

[jrudge]

http://www.ybw.com/forums/showthread.php?314164-Flares-France

seemingly not per this post.

The call is I suspect yours - would a member of joe public seeing a flare go up call 999. My view is yes so I carry them.

 

[gjgm]

About to pick up my new-to-me boat tomorrow.

Looking forward to hitting the swindlery and provisioning her!

Question ... if I buy an EPIRB and have DSC on board do I need flares also? Not looking to scrimp on safety, merely seeking to break the cycle of buying new flares, flares going out of date, flares needing to be safely disposed off.

No blue water cruising for me. Up and down the south coast with France and the Channel Islands a couple of times a year.

Advice?

I might put the orange smokes back on board; the rockets and flares are frankly aweful to use IMHO. If the boat isnt on fire before you use it, it might well be after, along with your arm

 

[bluerm166]

I suspect that flares are better than waving at a nearby boat that doesn't have radio on or operating properly but could assist quickly.

 

[Dougal]

I've tried waving my hand held VHF around, but nobody could it!!! I'll keep the flares;-)

 

[GuyB]

At least a pack of three is only 32€ !