MCA & Flares
- Thread starter starfire
- Start date
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
So the solution to the problem of disposing of flares is being spun such that:
"'We are trying to find a way through this maze, and when a path is established it is going to be very expensive,' says Mr Cardy. 'The most logical solution to me for all of us, is for recreational yachtsmen to stop using them.'"
is seriously on the table.
Unbelievable!! - IMHO
"'We are trying to find a way through this maze, and when a path is established it is going to be very expensive,' says Mr Cardy. 'The most logical solution to me for all of us, is for recreational yachtsmen to stop using them.'"
is seriously on the table.
Unbelievable!! - IMHO
Talulah
Well-Known Member
Re: MCA & Flares
As a thought perhaps they should start by phasing out parachute flares leaving offshore to electronic devices. All handheld flares could then be disposed of at training centres for exactly that.
As a thought perhaps they should start by phasing out parachute flares leaving offshore to electronic devices. All handheld flares could then be disposed of at training centres for exactly that.
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
Is it? I can see the argument.
I think for the vast majority of coastal sailors, a couple of small orange smoke to pick them out from the crowd would suffice. We all carry the recommended set, we all discuss disposing of them and whether they are dangerous to use, but I would be interested in seeing statistics as to the number of occasions that they are really necessary.
It's a bit like the vhf/mobile phone argument - at least if I get through on the mobile phone, I know the person on the other end knows what to do. Perhaps we all need a rethink - isn't it all a bit like informing the coastguard of your passage plan or asking for a link call? Perhaps redundant?
I will now duck for cover!
I think for the vast majority of coastal sailors, a couple of small orange smoke to pick them out from the crowd would suffice. We all carry the recommended set, we all discuss disposing of them and whether they are dangerous to use, but I would be interested in seeing statistics as to the number of occasions that they are really necessary.
It's a bit like the vhf/mobile phone argument - at least if I get through on the mobile phone, I know the person on the other end knows what to do. Perhaps we all need a rethink - isn't it all a bit like informing the coastguard of your passage plan or asking for a link call? Perhaps redundant?
I will now duck for cover!
Searush
Well-Known Member
Please follow through on the OP's link. There is an opportunity to vote for/against continued use of flares. Make your view known.
l'escargot
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Please follow through on the OP's link. There is an opportunity to vote for/against continued use of flares. Make your view known.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks, I missed the link to the poll.
Please follow through on the OP's link. There is an opportunity to vote for/against continued use of flares. Make your view known.
[/ QUOTE ]
Thanks, I missed the link to the poll.
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
In the article, it is made clear that the rescue services want to see a red flare, or Orange smoke bomb to locate the casualty.
If you are carrying handhelds and smoke bombs, the addition or not of parachute flares is academic.
I want the option of sending off a couple of parachute flares, just in case the EPIRB signal hasnt reached the satellite, or the VHF has a problem, or my mobile phone has no signal or battery power.
And as to "How often are they used?" - I've never used my fire extinguishers, liferaft, EPIRB, Dan Buoy, Horseshoe buoy and light, and so on.
It will be interesting to see how this develops but there seems to be an underlying spin so as to remove the problem of disposing of leisure pyrothecnics.
I wonder if SOLAS rules will be changed such that big ships wont have to carry them either - not so sure about that!
If you are carrying handhelds and smoke bombs, the addition or not of parachute flares is academic.
I want the option of sending off a couple of parachute flares, just in case the EPIRB signal hasnt reached the satellite, or the VHF has a problem, or my mobile phone has no signal or battery power.
And as to "How often are they used?" - I've never used my fire extinguishers, liferaft, EPIRB, Dan Buoy, Horseshoe buoy and light, and so on.
It will be interesting to see how this develops but there seems to be an underlying spin so as to remove the problem of disposing of leisure pyrothecnics.
I wonder if SOLAS rules will be changed such that big ships wont have to carry them either - not so sure about that!
BrendanS
Well-Known Member
How do commercial vessels dispose of their out of date flares?
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Please follow through on the OP's link. There is an opportunity to vote for/against continued use of flares. Make your view known.
[/ QUOTE ]
Should we be forced to give up our flares
Yes 17%
No 83%
early days, but pretty resounding so far.
Please follow through on the OP's link. There is an opportunity to vote for/against continued use of flares. Make your view known.
[/ QUOTE ]
Should we be forced to give up our flares
Yes 17%
No 83%
early days, but pretty resounding so far.
Searush
Well-Known Member
MCA has never had safety of small boaters at the heart of its policies. The key focus is managing/ reducing costs. That's why auxiliary watchers were abandoned in favour of VHF radio watch only. That's why they don't want to pay their staff reasonable wages. It's also why they don't want the hassle of dealing with a handful of old flares.
Richard10002
Well-Known Member
I thought this Cardy guy came from a background of leisure sailing and said he would be very conscious of the needs of the leisure boater - I might be getting him mixed up with someone else.
EdWingfield
Well-Known Member
Even though I will never carry flares I would never vote to 'force' other yotties not to.
I imagine most yotties (pro or anti) might vote that way.
What purpose has the poll?
I imagine most yotties (pro or anti) might vote that way.
What purpose has the poll?
Drascomber
Well-Known Member
One day flares will be redundant.
That day is not yet here but is getting noticeably closer.
I see that PLBs with GPS are now £200 instead of £300 and are smaller. The response time has to be sharpened up and a visual indicator introduced.
I wonder what the French take on this is? At the moment if you fly a French ensign and have no flares = fine up to €1,500!
That day is not yet here but is getting noticeably closer.
I see that PLBs with GPS are now £200 instead of £300 and are smaller. The response time has to be sharpened up and a visual indicator introduced.
I wonder what the French take on this is? At the moment if you fly a French ensign and have no flares = fine up to €1,500!
nimbusgb
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Please follow through on the OP's link. There is an opportunity to vote for/against continued use of flares. Make your view known.
[/ QUOTE ]
Should we be forced to give up our flares
Yes 17%
No 83%
early days, but pretty resounding so far.
[/ QUOTE ]
So the yes's have it by a wide margin at the moment /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
[ QUOTE ]
Please follow through on the OP's link. There is an opportunity to vote for/against continued use of flares. Make your view known.
[/ QUOTE ]
Should we be forced to give up our flares
Yes 17%
No 83%
early days, but pretty resounding so far.
[/ QUOTE ]
So the yes's have it by a wide margin at the moment /forums/images/graemlins/ooo.gif
Poignard
Well-Known Member
I expect a Government report will eventually appear along the lines of:
A recent survey concluded that a substantial number of boat owners considered flares to be uneccessary. There are also environmental considerations connected with the disposal of time-expired flares. Also, the free availabillity of explosive material poses a security threat. etc etc
A recent survey concluded that a substantial number of boat owners considered flares to be uneccessary. There are also environmental considerations connected with the disposal of time-expired flares. Also, the free availabillity of explosive material poses a security threat. etc etc
maxi77
Well-Known Member
It is quite clear from the article that as ever Mr Cardy is approaching this not from the point of safety of life, but from the point of cost to his department.
Perhaps the question Mr Cardy should be being asked is what is an acceptable rise in the loss of life for each million pounds he avoids spending. How any one in their right mind put a man who only thinks of cost in charge of an organisation which is primarily responsible for safety I do not know.
Perhaps the question Mr Cardy should be being asked is what is an acceptable rise in the loss of life for each million pounds he avoids spending. How any one in their right mind put a man who only thinks of cost in charge of an organisation which is primarily responsible for safety I do not know.
nimbusgb
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
How any one in their right mind put a man who only thinks of cost in charge of an organisation which is primarily responsible for safety I do not know.
[/ QUOTE ]
Does he have an MBA?
<flame shields ON> /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
How any one in their right mind put a man who only thinks of cost in charge of an organisation which is primarily responsible for safety I do not know.
[/ QUOTE ]
Does he have an MBA?
<flame shields ON> /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
davidej
Well-Known Member
I read somewhere that more people are drowned in their cars than in yachts.
Do you think all cars should carry flares? At least, that might bring down the price!
Do you think all cars should carry flares? At least, that might bring down the price!
DownWest
Well-Known Member
The French view has changed. Inshore you must carry the red hand held. Over 6 nm. off the paras are no longer required if you have VHF-DSC. (and life rafts no longer have to be inflatable a rigid dinghy with flotation will do)
A
A
Refueler
Well-Known Member
What do I think --- I voted in the link "NO".
Second I think it time that someone sorted out the fiasco of disposal of TEP's (Time Expired Pyrotechnics). The mish-mash that has prevailed for years is ludicrous. No wonder MoD and others are calling a halt to collection.
I am also annoyed that the poll gives no possibility to make any comment ... but in fairness though - it's a straight question Yea or Nay ...
Second I think it time that someone sorted out the fiasco of disposal of TEP's (Time Expired Pyrotechnics). The mish-mash that has prevailed for years is ludicrous. No wonder MoD and others are calling a halt to collection.
I am also annoyed that the poll gives no possibility to make any comment ... but in fairness though - it's a straight question Yea or Nay ...
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