Laser Flares

compare a flare's effect of 15000 worth of candelas fifty metres above sea level, with 10mw of red laser (a frequency which is not the best for the human eye to notice) held by trembling arm in a flooded cockpit.
 
The RYA / MCA / RNLI have thoughts on them - see the new RYA intro here:

http://www.rya.org.uk/newsevents/enewsletters/inbrief/Pages/alerting.aspx

and their detailed guidelines here:

http://www.rya.org.uk/SiteCollectio...nd Safety/Distress-Alerting-Info-Sheet-A4.pdf

As I read it, they are saying that a combination of EPIRBs, VHF/DSC and laser flares are an acceptable substitute for pyrotechnic flares 'if not wanted'. In other words, you could meet their guidelines without traditional flares if you get the rest of the equipment they advise.

Disclaimers: Of course, you should read the guildelines for yourself as I'm not giving authoritative safety advice etc etc. Also I suppose you are at liberty to disagree with the RYA guidelines and/or improve on them.
 
Whilst I think there is great potential in the use of suitable lasers for alerting and guiding rescuers as the RYA point out we need more research on the subject. I would also suggest we also need proper international standards, so that when you use one for real it does what you want and doesn't blind your rescuer
 
Laser Flares are coming

Fairly soon you will see a laser flare that has been specifically designed as an alternative to the red hand held flare.

Designed with input from yachtsman, Coastguards and SAR helicopter crew so you can be sure that all your "first objections" have already been taken care of.

We have reached the point of a flare that meets the SOLAS requirements but does not use explosives. Should be available in a month.
 
sarman said:
Fairly soon you will see a laser flare that has been specifically designed as an alternative to the red hand held flare.

Designed with input from yachtsman, Coastguards and SAR helicopter crew so you can be sure that all your "first objections" have already been taken care of.

We have reached the point of a flare that meets the SOLAS requirements but does not use explosives. Should be available in a month.
Click to expand...

That sounds like good news, there have been so many informal offerings appearing on the market it has been very confusing.
 
Laser flares sound like a good idea BUT what does it mean? Lasers provide a narrow unidirectional beam which is unsuited to this application.
Is it a laser pointer that you hopefully shine in the direction you hope is appropriate.... OR is it a flat, all round beam where you have to hold the body of the flare vertically? This of course would be invisible to the SAR helicopter.OR is it a flashing laser which fires off in random directions.... who knows!
Until I see a proposal for a laser flare that makes me respond "That's brilliant!" my response is "That's rubbish" .
( and don't forget to check your batteries each time you go out)
 
sarman said:
Fairly soon you will see a laser flare that has been specifically designed as an alternative to the red hand held flare.

Designed with input from yachtsman, Coastguards and SAR helicopter crew so you can be sure that all your "first objections" have already been taken care of.

We have reached the point of a flare that meets the SOLAS requirements but does not use explosives. Should be available in a month.
Click to expand...

We?

Tell us, are we supposed to stand in the cockpit and play lighthouses in the hope someone might catch sight of the laser pointer passing their eye-line. Tell us too, how have you managed to bend light over the 3 mile horizon, cos that's dead clever, I hope you have a good patent on that one!
 
DogWatch said:
We?

Tell us, are we supposed to stand in the cockpit and play lighthouses in the hope someone might catch sight of the laser pointer passing their eye-line. Tell us too, how have you managed to bend light over the 3 mile horizon, cos that's dead clever, I hope you have a good patent on that one!
Click to expand...

Replacement for the red hand held flare. With patent. :eek:

Wait 3 weeks :)
 
sarman said:
Wait 3 weeks until the new ones are available.

Massively improved performance - don't have to point it.[/QUOT


Whats the betting that because there will be no expiry date they will be 10 times the price of existing flares!
Click to expand...
 
sarman said:
Wait 3 weeks until the new ones are available.

Massively improved performance - don't have to point it.
Click to expand...

Sarman, I am ready to be impressed, no really, but you have 3 weeks... why keep the cat in the bag?

How have you made the laser less directional, wonky mirror (mechanical so a bit risky), a prism? Multi-lasers?

And the big one for me, how are you getting height, are you firing it into the air and parachuting like a flare?

Finally, and I am not trying to be negative for the point of being negative, does your laser work well on a bright sunny day, can it show your position to a helicopter from a few miles when there are hundreds of boats, can it show the pilot the current wind at your location, you know like an orange smoke? ah, replacement red hand flare, well it's a start, but until you empty my flare canister then there is little point choosing both or each as the risk is still there no?

I am just asking how you are going to make my flares redundant? You see, if I still have to carry orange smokes, including a floating canister, I might as well carry all pyrotechnics as the risk will still be there. As I also carry search and rescue white illuminating parachutes, I will have a hard time being convinced that laser is the way to go.

If you are marketing, here is your platform, don't just tell us to wait, sell us the laser alternative. If I didn't need to carry a pyrotechnic any longer I wont mourn them, tell us how you have solved this problem... we're not all dinghy sailors sailing off the beach.
 
Last edited:
LED flares are in use by emergency services. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SkUbm8Xhmg&feature=player_embedded#! The link is to a Youtube sales / information video.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nort...harge-man-set-for-crown-court-72703-25572762/ There have been multiple instances where lasers have been shone at emergency services helicopters. A local TV article of the effect from the pilots point of view, associated with reporting the court case, showed that they are effective at attracting attention.
 
Last edited:
2Tizwoz said:
LED flares are in use by emergency services. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9SkUbm8Xhmg&feature=player_embedded#! The link is to a Youtube sales / information video.

http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/nort...harge-man-set-for-crown-court-72703-25572762/ There have been multiple instances where lasers have been shone at emergency services helicopters. A local TV article of the effect from the pilots point of view, associated with reporting the court case, showed that they are effective at attracting attention.
Click to expand...

I would suggest there is a slight difference between using pyrotechnics for traffic control and emergency at sea.

Yes dangerous use of unregulated and unsafe laser pens does show they can be seen, it does not however show that said pens are a safe tool in an emergency at sea.

For laser devices to be of use at sea they need to at least meet present requirements and be internationally recognised as an emergency device.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Other threads that may be of interest

F
Keeping the salt dry.
Replies
11
Views
397
lustyd
lustyd
B
Any thoughts on Digital Yacht AIT5000 AIS?
Replies
11
Views
279
PaulRainbow
PaulRainbow
Halo
Cuuting a 115mm hole for Wema tank hatch
Replies
9
Views
372
pete
pete

Share this page

Top