New Flares

[rickym]

Following on from the request for almost TEP's, I am just about to 'invest' in a new set. I have lost count of the amount I have spent over the years on the most expensive bit of emergency kit (over time).

I don't want the debate should we or shouldn't we have them. We are expected to carry them (RORC/coded boats etc). I think we should if only as a last resort after the electronics have failed. I intend to not carry the expired ones on my extended cruise as knowing my luck some jobsworth will spot them and I don't want the hassle! I am not bothering with white anti collision either, the thought of using one in the cockpit at night fills me with horror.

The cost of an offshore pack and a couple of extra parachutes is quite enough.

What does everyone els do?

 

[philwebb]

FLARES

Hi, I have been buying mine in France where they have proved to be cheaper. (Cooperative
Maritime in St Malo) However last year the price seemed to have gone up a lot.
www.comptoirdelamer.fr I paid 16.72euros for 3 red hand flares in a plastic pack and
21.42euros per flare for parachute flares. They used to do a set in a plastic box which were
better value.
Regards, Phil

 

[KellysEye]

We carry flares to RORC requirements. We bought them separately, not in a pack. It would be worth checking which is cheaper. Whites are the ones you are most likely to use to scare ships off, we have one that can be reached from the cockpit.

 

[rickym]

We carry RORC pack as well. Don't think we will bother with whites this time though. AIS and a 'steamer scarer' torch should be OK. If we are that close to a big ship (which we shouldn't) we have done something wrong and I doubt he will get out of the way. We try to avoid close encounters!

 

[prv]

We have an "offshore" set; wouldn't seriously consider not having them.

I occasionally think about mounting a white one in a clip under the seat in the cockpit (together with knife and throwing line) but I reckon the BFO torch would work just as well. I'm not concerned per se at using a white flare, but since it's a bit all-or-nothing I suspect there would probably be some dithering before deciding to use it. Flashing a searchlight around is a bit less dramatic so would be used more readily. I keep the BFO torch plugged in and in a specific pocket in the cockpit when sailing at night.

Pete