Flares do i have to carry them ?

[TQA]

I am a 44 foot UK flagged SSR registered private sailboat, currently wandering around the Caribbean. I have VHF + handheld, EPIRB, SSB, phone but I guess that does not matter if there is some LEGAL requirement to carry flares.

I do have flares but they are either out of date or will be shortly.

What is the position re flares? DO I have to have them onboard? If yes how many and what type?

Does it make a difference which island I visit?

 

[KAL]

I am a 44 foot UK flagged SSR registered private sailboat, currently wandering around the Caribbean. I have VHF + handheld, EPIRB, SSB, phone but I guess that does not matter if there is some LEGAL requirement to carry flares.

I do have flares but they are either out of date or will be shortly.

What is the position re flares? DO I have to have them onboard? If yes how many and what type?

Does it make a difference which island I visit?

AFAIK, unless you're coded, it's up to you.

 

[Seajet]

I am a 44 foot UK flagged SSR registered private sailboat, currently wandering around the Caribbean. I have VHF + handheld, EPIRB, SSB, phone but I guess that does not matter if there is some LEGAL requirement to carry flares.

I do have flares but they are either out of date or will be shortly.

What is the position re flares? DO I have to have them onboard? If yes how many and what type?

Does it make a difference which island I visit?

I have to ask, how come you're out there without knowing ?

I have no idea about regulations there, probably best to ask fellow yotties there - the liveaboard forum may well yield some answers.

 

[GrahamM376]

In the UK you wouldn't need any but when sailing in someone elses waters they can if they wish impose their standards so, you'll have to check locally.

 

[William_H]

Flares

If you were in West Australia with a locally registered boat you would need at least 2 parachute red flares and 2 day time smoke flares. That is if you were sailing beyond 3nm of shore. Here at least they don't have to be in date. Now the point is if you are sailing into a lot of different jurisdictions I think it would be well worth saving hassle by carrying flares. Again it might just save hassle if you have some in date but keep the expired ones.
From another point of view should you have a tragedy and were you to find yourself in an inquest it would be much nicer for you if you could show that you met what are generally thought to be reasonable standards internationally. ie worth carrying even if UK doesn't insist on carriage. Good luck olewill

 

[testmonkey]

France, including French Caribbean islands require this equipment: http://www.eurobateaux.com/images/secu.pdf i.e. for flares 3+3+2

 

[westernman]

France, including French Caribbean islands require this equipment: http://www.eurobateaux.com/images/secu.pdf i.e. for flares 3+3+2

No need for flares for France if you have a VHF with DCS and GPS.

 

[Bosun Higgs]

. Now the point is if you are sailing into a lot of different jurisdictions I think it would be well worth saving hassle by carrying flares. Again it might just save hassle if you have some in date but keep the expired ones.

Not in France itw wouldn't olewill - the expired ones could land you in the dunny (?) And I guess that the same would apply in French colonies which they dont see as colonies but as part of la France with the same rules regs and baguettes..