Flares - Replace or not

[Talulah]

I’m sure several on here question the need to replace flares once expired. There is much division.
Whilst my boat is UK flagged it’s kept in France and hence not on innocent passage to claim exemption from French regulations. So today I have once again shelled out for a new set.
In doing so I’ve learnt that Crewsaver have stopped doing them and Marine Superstore bought up the remaining stock. As this weekend is 10% off everything at MS and the Crewsaver flares are on special but expire Dec 24 it made sense to bite the bullet even though it pains me to do so. When these expire I’m hoping the regulations will have caught up with modern tech but I have my doubts. Either that or there will be little competition to moderate prices.

 

[Poignard]

If, as I assume, you have bought these to take to France with you, aren't you worried about having your car searched at Portsmouth before boarding , or at the French port?

 

[[70521]]

I’m sure several on here question the need to replace flares once expired. There is much division.
Whilst my boat is UK flagged it’s kept in France and hence not on innocent passage to claim exemption from French regulations. So today I have once again shelled out for a new set.
In doing so I’ve learnt that Crewsaver have stopped doing them and Marine Superstore bought up the remaining stock. As this weekend is 10% off everything at MS and the Crewsaver flares are on special but expire Dec 24 it made sense to bite the bullet even though it pains me to do so. When these expire I’m hoping the regulations will have caught up with modern tech but I have my doubts. Either that or there will be little competition to moderate prices.

Personally, I'd never leave the mooring without pyrotechnics. Why get rid of one of the tools in the toolbox when life or limb is at risk?

 

[Talulah]

If, as I assume, you have bought these to take to France with you, aren't you worried about having your car searched at Portsmouth before boarding , or at the French port?

Are they allowed on Eurotunnel?

 

[Poignard]

Are they allowed on Eurotunnel?

I don't know but I'd doubt it. Should be in the T&Csl

I'm pretty sure they are not allowed on Brittany Ferries boats.

I buy my flares in French chandleries. I have never compared prices with the UK . Last time I had no choice because what I had on board was out of date,

 

[Little Dorrit]

Are they allowed on Eurotunnel?

Where did you get the idea that bomb making paraphernalia would be allowed?

 

[westernman]

I’m sure several on here question the need to replace flares once expired. There is much division.
Whilst my boat is UK flagged it’s kept in France and hence not on innocent passage to claim exemption from French regulations. So today I have once again shelled out for a new set.
In doing so I’ve learnt that Crewsaver have stopped doing them and Marine Superstore bought up the remaining stock. As this weekend is 10% off everything at MS and the Crewsaver flares are on special but expire Dec 24 it made sense to bite the bullet even though it pains me to do so. When these expire I’m hoping the regulations will have caught up with modern tech but I have my doubts. Either that or there will be little competition to moderate prices.

If you have a VHF with DSC you are not required to have any flares.

If you do have flares, best to ensure that they are in date.

In France in some ports - for instance Port Leucate, you can dispose of them free of charge. When I did that, the place to dispose them was unlocked and anybody could access it. There were enough explosives there to blow up the Chateau of Versailles.

 

[steve123]

Brittany Ferries do allow you to take flares. From their website: "Only passengers travelling by vehicle can transport self-inflating lifejackets and flares and must declare the fact when making their reservation. A maximum of 6 self-inflating lifejackets; 6 handheld flares; 4 parachute flares and 2 smoke floats for use in leisure craft only and within test date may be carried."

I've taken a liferaft both ways. Had to park away from other vehicles. I'm planning to get an led flare and get rid of my out of date pyrotechnics next year.

 

[Talulah]

I don't know but I'd doubt it. Should be in the T&Csl

I'm pretty sure they are not allowed on Brittany Ferries boats.

I buy my flares in French chandleries. I have never compared prices with the UK . Last time I had no choice because what I had on board was out of date,

From Eurotunnel web site
"The carriage of fireworks, flares and pyrotechnics on board Eurotunnel's shuttles is prohibited, in accordance with our Governing Body’s Direction."

 

[Poignard]

From Eurotunnel web site
"The carriage of fireworks, flares and pyrotechnics on board Eurotunnel's shuttles is prohibited, in accordance with our Governing Body’s Direction."

I was wrong about Brittany Ferries:


I notice also that white spirit may not be carried. A rule I have unwittingly breached many times !


Transporting dangerous goods, knives and flammable liquids

 

[jdc]

The very sensible French regulations demand (you'll be semi-hauturier or hauturier I guess) 3 hand-held flares (note 4), but smoke and parachute flares are no longer required provided you've a VHF-DSC (note 5). Because of this they are easy to obtain in France, and you can take back the old ones to the place you buy the new. What's the issue?

 

[[70521]]

French regulations

Wonderful to see that they have a Ministry of the Sea.

 

[Ningaloo]

If you have a VHF with DSC you are not required to have any flares.

It depends on the size of the boat and where you sail. Over about 12m flares are still a mandatory requirement in the UK.
I am 14m so I have a full pack as well as an electronic one. I'd prefer not to have any pyrotechnics which are way down on my list of distress communications.