Getting flares to Ireland

[bitbaltic]

Hello - Good point.
The boat comes with an EPIRB, but I think the current registration has expired, I'll check into it.
Can I register it to myself, even though I don't actually own the boat yet?

I would get my hands on the EPIRB and make sure it is actually serviceable before making a plan based upon it.

If you are planning a delivery back to the UK and want the flares as a distress signal for the trip, a PLB or EPIRB is definitely a better option for a yacht sailing alone offshore, becuase they will attract the attention of the MRCC whilst flares will only attract the attention of whatever is near you, which may be nothing. These days flares (IMHO) have a valid part to play in guiding rescue to you once someone is already actively looking for you, but not before. It sounds like it might be a good idea to think through your safety strategy a little bit, perhaps contact the RNLI for a chat.

 

[Tranona]

Hello - Good point.
The boat comes with an EPIRB, but I think the current registration has expired, I'll check into it.
Can I register it to myself, even though I don't actually own the boat yet?

Re-registration is a normal part of the handover procedure when buying a used boat. The EPIRB will already be registered to the boat but with the existing owner's contact details. If the boat is UK registered changing contact details is just a case of notifying Falmouth. However eventually you will have to change both your VHF/DSC and EPIRB MMSI to a UK number.

They will still function as they are. I sailed my previously greek registered boat back from Corfu with the Greek registrations. Both VHF and EPIRB would have alerted coastguards and Falmouth. Changed them when the boat was back in UK.

Personally I would not bother with flares. they are now off limited use and many people no longer carry them - but it is a personal choice.

 

[Slycat]

I got the full inshore flares kit (2 smokes 2 red) for £69 from ch marine..

 

[William_H]

The purpose and real advantage of the registered EPIRB is that if your EPIRB gives a distress signal the authorities can identify the boat and most importantly contact your family or friends to confirm that you or the boat is indeed expected to be sailing in the identified area and so will see the signal as a very likely genuine distress signal. (So give it all available resources). The old 121.5 EPIRBs were not registered and had a 60% rate of signals not being a genuine emergency so while signals were acted on there was always a lot of doubt about the distress signal being genuine. So if your EPIRB is not correctly registered or borrowed make sure the contact knows what you are doing so can confirm you are sailing. olewill

 

[[3889]]

I'm crossing UK to Ireland this week. PM if any use to you. Probably stopping Rosslare, Arklow Dun L.

 

[bitbaltic]

The purpose and real advantage of the registered EPIRB is that if your EPIRB gives a distress signal the authorities can identify the boat and most importantly contact your family or friends to confirm that you or the boat is indeed expected to be sailing in the identified area and so will see the signal as a very likely genuine distress signal. (So give it all available resources). The old 121.5 EPIRBs were not registered and had a 60% rate of signals not being a genuine emergency so while signals were acted on there was always a lot of doubt about the distress signal being genuine. So if your EPIRB is not correctly registered or borrowed make sure the contact knows what you are doing so can confirm you are sailing. olewill

This is rather a good table comparing 406 to 121.5 beacons. http://www.sarsat.noaa.gov/406vs121.pdf

Basically a non-406 EPIRB may as well go down with the boat for all the good it will do nowadays.

 

[Mildew52]

Thankto all for the help and suggestions.

My current plan is to get on-board and test the EPIRD.
Then assess the flares (I've not been able to get confirmation regarding flares on board and their expiry date)
If the flares need sorting, then I'll suck it up and but a set from CH-Marine which is just 20 mins drive away.
Regards:


IcarusBop