How out of date are your flares?

Had some one-year-out-of-date ones last year, as I was getting the stock into a staggered series of dates. I bought some short-dated ones cheaply from Jimmy Green for the same reason. I now have them all in-date with a third of the pack expiring each year rather than a big hit all at once.

Pete
 
I would guess 1980/1990. They are Very pistol shells and they have no date on them. Actual flares are about 2000 I think. If there were a simple way then I would get rid of the flares (keep the Very pistol and shells).
 
Just weighed in a lot of four year OOD flares which I couldn't trust and bought a new "coastal" set. I've seen all the arguments and I've seen "well OOD" flares misbehave so I decided not to chance it.
 
dylanwinter said:
flares are old school - call the emergency services on the phone

however, I do have flares on board - came with the boat

D
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+1
After the RNLI demo at our YC went wrong and a parachute rocket hit the guy in the stomach i'm in two minds about using them. For coastal sailing surely a couple of VHFs and mobile phones are suitable.
 
johnalison said:
I always keep one set of in-date flares and the latest lot that have expired, which I conceal from the Frogs.
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I do the same, so the oldest flares on board are no more than 4 yrs OOD. I've found that both Force 4 and Marine Superstore are happy to take 4 yr OOD flares off your hands, if you are buying replacements.
 
When we bought the boat last year she came with an an extensive set of flares in perfect condition, just dated 1986, so probably the original flare set when she was new.

They are now gone to the coastguard and replaced with a new set. Phone is ok within signal range for alerting one person, vhf is ok for raising the alarm to all listening to ch 16, but for pinpointing my position I'll always keep a few flares on board.
 
I'm aiming to do away with flares, I've got rid of most of them but still have a coastal pack and a pack of 'mini' flares which are about 3 or 4 yrs ood.
I've decided that plb, vhf, laser flare and strobes are enough.
Interesting point, which I had forgotten, that the life raft has in date flares.
 
Here in Greece the PP have been firtling around in some ports, inspecting parachute flares. Those who have out-of-date flares have to get new or face being forbidden to leave - when I pointed to the EPIRB, they said it didn't qualify. So I keep 1 in-date parachute for them to inspect.
Two years ago, they caused even bigger waves by condemning any expiry-undated extinguishers. Greek ones are inspected and stamped annually. Now those cost real money €25. I think, if you look at yours they usually don't have an expiry date.
As with Monty I do ensure up-to-date flares in the liferaft, biannually inspected. (for those uncertain, I mean every 2nd year)
The difference with the UK is price - replacement parachute cost me €10.45, and life-raft ispection and repacking is €80. New flares medic packs, water and the rest of the SOLAS gubbins usually brings that up to about €350. That's by an accredited merchant marine safety house.
Personally I think a liferaft (in the Med) is an even bigger obsolesence.
 
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I am quite stunned that no one has jumped on this thread with the "No flares/out of date flares on board = certain death/end of the word/armageddon" type response.........but I sure someone will soon!
I have 2 packs, inshore and coastal, ood last year and this year respectively. As mentioned above, I fish fairly close to the shore and usually withing mobile range (yet to be out of it tbh) and most certainly within vhf range....
 
I've only used flares when in the Mountain Rescue and would never leave home without them.

1) They work when all the electrics have given up;

2) Used correctly they are very, very useful for the search and rescue helicopters giving a fix and, when smoke is used, wind direction

Just another tool in the toolbox and one I'll be happy to keep there.
 
I had some out of date flares on my old boat. With the new boat, I decided not to carry flares, although there are some in the liferaft.
 
Our pleasure boats have to be inspected every year but law and a certificate of fitness issued and without a valid certificate you cannot leave your mooring.

Part of the inspection is that you must have a defined set of flares in date. You can keep your older flares but you must have a set in date. This inspection also include fire extinguishers that must be inspected but authorised test stations.

If the category of your boat requires a life raft that must be inspected as specified but the manufacturer of every year if your boat is used for any commercial uses.

If our boats are registered (like part 1 of UK registration, No SSR available in SA) we must have an extra certification if we wish to clear out to go to any foreign port.

So I think you guys in the UK have an easy time with the UK authorities.
 
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