Flares on the ferry

If it's North Sea p and o they ask if you are carrying knives or weapons to which I would say no. They carry flares on board so I would think it would be no problem. Ferry operators don't have the same paranoia that airlines have had to adopt.

Not official just my logic and approach.
 
Bikerwookie said:
If it's North Sea p and o they ask if you are carrying knives or weapons to which I would say no. They carry flares on board so I would think it would be no problem. Ferry operators don't have the same paranoia that airlines have had to adopt.

Not official just my logic and approach.
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Their flares are properly stored and in areas occupied by crew during the voyage, NOT of unknown condition, stored in god knows what and down on the car deck where there are no crew during the voyage but there is lots of fuel. Should one of their flares go off accidently it will be noticed immediately, should one of yours go off there is the probability of a major fire before anyone notices. In addition if there is a fire on the car deck the crew would be a higher risk fighting it if some numpty was also carrying a plastic box (or bag) of flares.
How is your logic now.
 
Why not ask a deck officer to store them until disembarking? I'm sure they would accommodate, I remember years ago when mobiles were rare having to give mine to the crew on a commercial airline, it was returned at the end of the flight in a red poly bag with a picture of a gun on it!! got some funny looks.
 
P&O Dover to Calais I have an email from their HQ saying I can carry flares in the car but should declare them at the check in. The same as when I carry my Very pistol - this ensures priority boarding but you have to leave your keys with the loading officer.
 
bert49uk said:
I asked Britany ferries about carrying flares on board and was told politely, no not under any circumstances
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I carried flares with Brittany Ferries 2 years ago, declared them at check-in and they were fine. They took them for secure storeage whilst at sea and then I collected them at the other end. For your peace of mind phone the company up with whom you are travelling and tell them as well that they will be in a secure container.
 
The transportation of dangerous goods by sea is covered by the
International Maritime Dangerous Goods Code

The IMDG code applies to all international voyages and depending upon local laws most local voyages.

Transportation of dangerous goods can be quite complicated. And do not always appear to be logical.
The answer depends on the amount and circumstances.

Generally speaking any kind of Class 1 dangerous goods (explosive’s) are prohibited on a passenger vessel.
There are some exceptions to this.

Class 1.4 ( pose no significant hazard)sometimes are. And under some circumstances are exempt.
Most flares used as life saving appliances are Class 1.4.
Or Class 9 (miscellaneous) items such as life saving appliances which contain more than one type of DG

The easiest way to find out the UN number is look on the outside of the package it comes in and or contact the manufacturer e.g. Pains Wessex, Orion.

Each item has a specific UN number which can be looked up and the requirements restrictions and exemptions are listed.

Under IMDG code. ( International Maritime Dangerous Goods) flares can be carried on a passenger and vehicle ferry as part of a life rafts equipment or as part of a towed boat on a trailers equipment.

Oddly they can even be carried in a semi trailer proved they are packaged in an approved way in a consumer quantity.

Boats on trailers are funny. Items which are prohibited under some circumstances are allowed as part of a boats equipment. And exempt from the IMDG code.

This does not necessarily mean the Isle of white ferry is ok with it.

The rules may de different for road transport and transport by sea. International voyage may have different rules to those within one country. Open or closed deck makes a difference.
High speed craft, closed deck, may not be a simple as the Balahulish Ferry they have different rules from regular ferries.

The IMDG code generally must be complied with.
The Ferry company can impose there own requirements which may be more stringent than IMDG.
National requirements can be different.

The driver of a vehicle as the carrier is considered the person responsible for compliance the requirements.
The shipper could be the driver or not but must fill out the required documentation The shipper is required to provide the carrier with the correct documentation..

Some off the complication’s with ferry travel and dangerous goods are due to different requirements from road travel and once the vehicle is loaded the ship becomes the carrier and the Master and Chief Officer become responsible for compliance. And must be in possession of the correct paperwork for the duration of the voyage.

Most if not all jurisdictions require ferry companies to have policy for the transportation of dangerous goods.
The Ferry company can deal with the problem in different ways.
The simplest policy being just refuse to carry.
Or they can have a policy requiring a reservation minimum amount of notice e.g. 24hrs and inspection of your paper work.
Most will ask at point of sale. “Have you got any dangerous goods to declare“.

Bottom line its your responsability.

If you show up on the dock drive down onto the deck and they think you might have DG. The loading officer has no way of knowing if what you have is allowed or not. Most likely you will be turned away. Until you have your paper work in order.

If you call ahead and talk to the average sales agent or ticket agent they won’t have a clue.

You probably need to ask to speak to one of the terminal managers at the port you are departing from.
They will probably know for routine objects and know how to find out about obscure ones.
They will also be able to help you with the required documentation.
 
erbster said:
A close friend of mine is taking his trailer sailor on a ferry this coming summer. Flares usually carried aboard. Should he:
A) keep quiet
B) declare them
C) leave them at home
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Have carried flares on an X-Channel ferry/Eurotunnel numerous times.
The thought of declaring them never even crossed my mind.
Didn't say anything - no-one asked - nothing happened.
 
OR4751 said:
Have carried flares on an X-Channel ferry/Eurotunnel numerous times.
The thought of declaring them never even crossed my mind.
Didn't say anything - no-one asked - nothing happened.
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+1

That'll be a/. then... :D

PS. Well done for thinking to ask the question, though - I'm sure it would never have even occurred to me!
 
bendyone said:
I had more problems taking a diving cylinder than flares
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The rules don't always appear to be logical.

SCUBA or SCBA cylinders are DG covered by IMDG they are allowed on a passenger ferry if declared. with the correct paperwork in unlamented quantity.

The reason. In event of a fire any sealed pressure container can explode if it gets hot enough.
The crew just need to know they are on board.

Another odd one is Hay. Believe it or not DG. Allowed but must be completely covered.

The bottom line its drivers responsibility to declare. And HM constabulary could get seriously pissed of if you don’t.
 
OR4751 said:
Have carried flares on an X-Channel ferry/Eurotunnel numerous times.
The thought of declaring them never even crossed my mind.
Didn't say anything - no-one asked - nothing happened.
Click to expand...

They are explicitly prohibited in Eurotunnel if you read the conditions of carriage.
Don't know about ferries.
 
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