Electronic Visual Distress Signal

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William_H

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Our government authority on boating safety (West Oz) have changed safety equipment rules. Safety equipment changes now apply
Of particular interest is to mandate GPS enabled EPIRB. But also now allowing Electronic Visual distress beacons to be carried in lieu of flares. (provided you carry a GPS EPIRB) These types of EVDS so far are aopproved.
  • 547 Orion Electronic SOS Beacon Locator
  • ACR Electronics ResQFlare
I agree that it is time to get rid of pyrotechnic flares. horrible things with short life. (3 years)
Hopefully other jurisdictions will follow. ol'will
 
The rules about pyro flares are a gyp and always have been.

I bought my first flares in 1975. They had self striking compound on the caps. I kept those flares in a safe place for yeas after they expired. I got them out at about age 35 years.

The striking stuff had fallen off. I lit one with a gas torch. It burned brilliantly for 15 minutes as claimed, without injuring me, or causing any other harm.
 
My main issue with electronic flares is their effectiveness during the day when most leisure boaters are active. It’s worthy of note that the USCG requires the carriage of a flag to meet their requirements for attracting attention during the day. Presumably the USCG think electronic flares are crap for day light use.

I think the requirement for GPS enabled EPIRb is admirable and hope as Lustyd asks, PLBs with GPS would meet that requirement.
 
I think most of us have a flag on board, but much more noticeable to hoist some sallopettes up the mast if attracting attention is the aim
 
There is no way that a) I am going to strip off to access a pair of my pants in Scotland (summer or winter), b) that anyone would respond if I did and c) there is no way my wife will let me out of the house with a pair of hers and no I am not going to buy a pair specifically for the task or “borrow” them from another lady!
 
boomerangben said:
There is no way that a) I am going to strip off to access a pair of my pants in Scotland (summer or winter), b) that anyone would respond if I did and c) there is no way my wife will let me out of the house with a pair of hers and no I am not going to buy a pair specifically for the task or “borrow” them from another lady!
Click to expand...
Assuming the "other lady" had any :unsure:
 
We have the Orion version. The fireworks are still on board but hopefully will never be needed.

I sincerely hope the Orion disress signal will never be needed either!

The beauty of the Orion is that it takes normal 'C' type cells.

We have on board a good EPIRB and a fixed and handheld VHF.

Pyrotechnics are done for me now. US and Aussie's approving them is the start of further aproval I expect.
 
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