Electronic Flares

[Halcyon Yachts]

I recently put out a blog about the pros and cons of electronic flares. It has sparked some debate about whether or not they can or should replace pyrotechnic flares...

Would you go to sea with electronic flares instead of pyrotechnics?

Pete

 

[boomerangben]

No, I only sail by day so need something really bright and/or smoky

 

[Lightwave395]

I do

 

[Sandy]

No, but would go to sea with both.

Having just invested in an Ocean Signal PLB3, the new one with PLB and AIS, I'm hoping never to use it.

 

[Tranona]

Yes.

 

[Bobc]

I would, but I prefer to have a couple of red rockets and a couple of orange smokes aboard too.

 

[Daydream believer]

Only as a supplement a full set of pyrotechnics- Plus the separate PLB & EPIRBs of course

 

[dunedin]

I recently put out a blog about the pros and cons of electronic flares. It has sparked some debate about whether or not they can or should replace pyrotechnic flares...

Would you go to sea with electronic flares instead of pyrotechnics?

Pete

As some of the answers below suggest, I think this is a largely meaningless question if not:
(a) put in context of an overall suite of safety devices carried; plus
(b) some context of the location and type of sailing (more people will spot visual signals in Solent than off Muckle Flugga).

For sailing in NW Scotland and occasional North Sea crossings my suite of safety gear includes DSC VHF; emergency VHF aerial; Mobile VHF; Mobile phone (used quite a few times for contact to Coastguard); PLB x 2; MOB AIS beacon x 3; liferaft with minimum pack of flares inside; AIS transceiver; radar; electronic flare; white flare “ship scarer”; etc
Have an old Coastal pack of flares (stowed with tough gloves attached) but probably won’t replace when bin 2-3 years after expiry date.

But the list of alternative kit is important

 

[Buck Turgidson]

Having been on the other end of the equation in my early career, searching the ocean for vessels in distress from the air I can say with some confidence that nothing beats a large cloud of orange smoke!

 

[westhinder]

We carry both pyrotechnics (legal obligation for Belgian vessels) and an electronic flare.
Plus of course all the usual stuff you need for passages that take you out of sight of land for a couple of days.
I am not a fan of pyrotechnic flares, given the risks and the short time they burn, but I realise as Buck T mentions that a smoke pot is a very important asset by day.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Don’t know, it’s never really been a relevant consideration as I think pyros do their job safely and admirably.

I think eventually the PLB / EPIRB will evolve to make even LED flares redundant.

 

[LittleSister]

. . . my suite of safety gear includes . . . PLB x 2; MOB AIS beacon x 3; liferaft with minimum pack of flares inside; AIS transceiver; radar; electronic flare; . . .

Nice to have, but that lot would cost more than some boats I've owned, and certainly more than I can afford. (I do have VHF & mobile.)

I think eventually the PLB / EPIRB will evolve to make even LED flares redundant.

I imagine they will become more important, but are not going to get the immediate attention of most of those in the vicinity who may be able to help.

 

[RunAgroundHard]

… I imagine they will become more important, but are not going to get the immediate attention of most of those in the vicinity who may be able to help.

That is where they will develop. It won’t just be satellite coms, they will transmit to devices that are around them data that will pin point. The concept that we need to flash something in the chance that someone will see it, will likely be reduced to irrelevance. Of course, that musing is just a guess, but tech coms and data transmission is amazing considering capabilities even 10 years ago eg phones are now using so called AI to process information. We are seeing expensive chart plotters being challenged by lower cost products with better functionality. Sooner or later all of this will start to be more connected than it is right now. I know to a couple of meters where my team is globally, and the location of all my logistics provider trucks. The devices transmitting this data are tiny switching between cell and satellite as required.

 

[dunedin]

……
I imagine they will become more important, but are not going to get the immediate attention of most of those in the vicinity who may be able to help.

Generally that’s what the distress call on VHF Ch 16 does - if there are boats in the vicinity.
In other locations there may be nobody in the area, on water or on land. But again hopefully the Coastguard hears on Ch16.

 

[LittleSister]

Distress call doesn't reach those with no VHF (most in dinghies and small angling etc. boats) or the many who have it out of earshot, turned off, etc.; nor bathers, shore walkers, etc. There will be few of those e.g. in the middle of the North Sea, but much of my and many others' sailing, anchoring etc. is in areas where there are likely more of those.

Flares are not a substitute for VHF, but neither vice versa.

 

[rotrax]

We have fixed and handheld VHF, EPIRB, mobile phone, out of date offshore flare pack - only just out of date - and have just invested in an LED Flare with three mile vis in daylight and ten mile vis at night.

I wont be buying anymore pyrotechnic flares.

 

[Bobc]

Having been on the other end of the equation in my early career, searching the ocean for vessels in distress from the air I can say with some confidence that nothing beats a large cloud of orange smoke!

Completely agree with that. Floating orange smokes are the one type that I will always keep.

 

[capnsensible]

Having been on the other end of the equation in my early career, searching the ocean for vessels in distress from the air I can say with some confidence that nothing beats a large cloud of orange smoke!

What do you recommend for night? Real question.

 

[Buck Turgidson]

What do you recommend for night? Real question.

I never saw a laser flare as they weren't around in my day so I can't comment on their effectiveness. But to be found you want something that is omni directional, f...ing bright and preferably flashes and doesn't last only a few seconds. This is on top of an electronic aid that transmits your position. In bad weather visual acquisition can be tricky. Radar and FLIR make life easier but we flew right over radar contacts and saw nothing many times.

 

[Scillypete]

Having used pyrotechnic flares in anger, a good few years ago now, that were not seen at all I have not bothered to carry any since, preferring to rely on the radio and epirb but can see good reasons for having the electric variety aboard. Having said that there should be some pyrotechnics in the life raft that I have aboard not that I’ll have any faith in them being seen.