Flares and windows

[Novice21]

We've just spent the morning going over our new boat /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
New to us, that is! Here come the first of no doubt very many questions which will display a shocking level of ignorance! 1) How do we dispose of the 4(!) full sets of out of date flares which are on board? 2) The survey says we need to replace the windows (but new bits of perspex and bolt them on), where do we find someone to supply said perspex?

Many thanks for any help!

 

[EdWingfield]

Get some practice in. Set the flares off at home on New Years Eve, or give 'em to R.N.L.I. to practice with.

 

[Dave_Rolfe]

For perspex supplier, any good sheet plastics supplier should be able to help and cut to size/shape. Try Yellowpages. There is certainly a company in Exeter that i use (Plastexe) that are very good but not exactly local to you. When you come to fit you need to ensure holes are slightly oversized and just slightly countersink them to help prevent cracking when tightening up (after applying sealant)

 

[Talbot]

[ QUOTE ]
Get some practice in. Set the flares off at home on New Years Eve, or give 'em to R.N.L.I. to practice with.

[/ QUOTE ]

Very bad advice. Admitedly at this time of the year it is unlikely to set the hedgerow on fire!

A maritime flare is designed to burn for as long as possible to maximise the chance of being detected. Thus normally it is still burning when it hits the water, whereas a normal firework (unless fired at a shallow angle) is designed to have completed its action before reaching the ground.

Using a distress flare on land risks setting fire to property vehicles or hedgerows, and/or seriously injuring people, using them without approval is also against the law unless in a distress situation.

 

[KeithH]

I would completely agree with your comments for rocket flares. But I suspect that most of the flares will be either red pinpoint, or orange smoke. If they are NOT rocket flares, why not use them as a training aid? (However, the orange smoke is very effective smoke screen, so you need a windy day, and no neighbours downwind).

We fired some at our club last year, after a talk by the RNLI, who monitored the firing of our own flares. I found that very useful - the turn and strike type really needs a good bash.

 

[Wakatere]

If they're far past date I wouldn't set them off under any circumstances.

 

[Novice21]

Don't worry, I've got no intention of setting them off! But what do we do with them?

 

[FullCircle]

Hi, blather blather, flares blather.

But, I note you are in Essex.

E J Alloys Ltd
130 Prince Avenue
Westcliff on Sea
SS0 0NW(Road Map)
Essex
Tel: 01702 342727


I have been dealing with them for years, they also stock brass bronze, stainless etc etc.
The windows may well be made of Polycarbonate, which is stronger but is more scratch prone. Perspex crazes in UV and also will shatter with heavy impact damage.

Take your old windows along to them as a pattern, and they will cut them to shape for you, and drill them if required. May even put a bevel bead around the periphery for you.

Not the cheapest, but willl give you a good estimate before commencing work.

 

[Novice21]

That's great, I'll talk to them tomorrow or next week. They're about 5 mins from here, perfect!

 

[Stork_III]

Talk to local Coastguard Station, they may take them.

 

[peterb]

[ QUOTE ]
How do we dispose of the 4(!) full sets of out of date flares which are on board?

[/ QUOTE ]

Put 'em in a box, take them to the nearest police station, tell them that you found them on a boat that you've just bought and ask what to do with them. They'll be forced to play safe and take them.

 

[Heckler]

BUT DONT set off any white ones!! out of date, do they contain some of the dangerous ones?

 

[damo]

A local lifeboatman and rya instructor has just told me that the CG are "legally obliged" to take flares. Make of that what you will....

 

[Clyde_Wanderer]

I know that the CG take flares of people up our neck of the woods, they took mine.
As for drilling countersunk holes in perspex, that is one sure way of cracking it when the screws are drawn up tight, ok in lexan, (polycarbonate).
for perspex one should use pan head screws, as csk screws act like wedges when drawn up.

 

[Searush]

[ QUOTE ]
Get some practice in. Set the flares off at home on New Years Eve, or give 'em to R.N.L.I. to practice with.

[/ QUOTE ]

Be very careful & DO NOT set off parachute flares as they hit the ground still burning & are likely to cause serious damage.
See this example

 

[l'escargot]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How do we dispose of the 4(!) full sets of out of date flares which are on board?

[/ QUOTE ]

Put 'em in a box, take them to the nearest police station, tell them that you found them on a boat that you've just bought and ask what to do with them. They'll be forced to play safe and take them.

[/ QUOTE ]
They don't have to be "forced" to take them at all, just ask them to dispose of them as you no longer need them. They have a process and even an official form for taking them for disposal - usually dealt with by the Lost Property Office.

 

[ex-Gladys]

Essex coastguards are happy to take them. Either contact the Sector Officer or drop em off at Walton. Always very polite and hapy to accept.

 

[kengill]

The Coastguard Station at Walton - on - the - Naze usually takes my out of date flares.

 

[Piers]

Lee on Solent CG takes them. Call them first since they need to make sure their 'store' has space. When full, the Army Bomb Disposal collects them to dispose of them.