KREW2
Well-known member
Hi
Not to be confused with old flames, what's the best way of disposing of them?
KW
Not to be confused with old flames, what's the best way of disposing of them?
KW
Old flares
- Thread starter KREW2
- Start date
philip_stevens
Active member
Your local Coastguard station should be able to take them off you for safe disposal by either the Army or Royal Navy bomb disposal units.
Contact Brixham Coastguard for the nearest place to take them.
Contact Brixham Coastguard for the nearest place to take them.
KREW2
Well-known member
Hi
Thank you, the obvious always eludes you, I am very close to Portland coast guard so I will take them there.
Regards Keith
Thank you, the obvious always eludes you, I am very close to Portland coast guard so I will take them there.
Regards Keith
philip_stevens
Active member
Brixham phone (01803) 882704
Portland phone (01305) 760439
...and the only place I could find the phone numbers was from BT.com directory enquiries. The MCA site is a nightmare!!
Portland phone (01305) 760439
...and the only place I could find the phone numbers was from BT.com directory enquiries. The MCA site is a nightmare!!
Hardley
New member
I would phone first, recently took mine to Yarmouth CG, they did not want them in their building, but made arrangements for my old flares to be collected.
Steve Clayton
New member
If you are replacing via a chandlery then said chandlery should be in a position to take the old ones for subsequent disposal.
BrendanS
Well-known member
Assuming they are not 20+ yrs old, why get rid of them?
I've got two poly bottles, one with in date flares, another with old flares. The old ones will probably work fine, and it gives you a lot more flares to let off if you really need them.
I've got two poly bottles, one with in date flares, another with old flares. The old ones will probably work fine, and it gives you a lot more flares to let off if you really need them.
alahol2
Well-known member
I should keep them, they're coming back into fashion.
bdsweeting
New member
As you are near Portland/Weymouth or even Dorchester try also the local household waste disposal centre.
I checked with the Dorchester site some time ago and they confirmed that they would take old flares. They did actually have an explosives box which I was quite impressed with.
Remember that although the CG will take old flares etc they do not get paid for it so if you can use your local 'tip' then your Poll ax (sorry Council Tax !) is going to a good cause /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
I checked with the Dorchester site some time ago and they confirmed that they would take old flares. They did actually have an explosives box which I was quite impressed with.
Remember that although the CG will take old flares etc they do not get paid for it so if you can use your local 'tip' then your Poll ax (sorry Council Tax !) is going to a good cause /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
VicMallows
New member
A man after my own heart. Mind you, I'd really like a chance to try out the out-of-dates I bought in Chichester in 1978. The aluminium tubes still look fine.
Seriously, I really would like an 'amnesty day' when really out of date flares could legitimately be discharged if, say, at least 50 miles inland from the coast. I would certainly be more likely to buy new ones if I could at least have the satisfaction of fireing off the old ones.
Vic
Seriously, I really would like an 'amnesty day' when really out of date flares could legitimately be discharged if, say, at least 50 miles inland from the coast. I would certainly be more likely to buy new ones if I could at least have the satisfaction of fireing off the old ones.
Vic
BrendanS
Well-known member
You can always attend one of the flare training events. I've been to three so far, and they are great. You get an hour or so of 'classroom' training with lots of tips on letting off of the different types of flares, and other good information.
Also you get to look and and 'try' lots of blanks, which is really useful, as all the makes have different firing mechanisms, and starts to make you understand that it's not that easy to tell one end from another in a classroom, so might be a little difficult if taking them out in a F8 at night in wet and rough conditions, and that trying to read instructions by torch in those conditions might not be a good idea.
You then get to go and let off lots of parachute and hand held flares as dark sets in - of different makes - supject to coastguard approval which can vary by the minute (if they have a local emergency, they may stop the live firing at last moment). They have to be informed as they get loads of calls when these training exercises happen.
You learn a hell of a lot though, from firing parachute flares downwind, to needing to have heavy duty gloves kept in flare container, as these things throw off lots of red hot dross (which also means you hold hand held flares down wind over the side of the boat, or you'll set fire to it underneath you!, and don't under estimate this, as a burning flare dropped into a metal bucket full of water will burn through the bottom of it!) to the fact that handheld flares need one heck of a thump to set them off, and most of the ladies couldn't hit them hard enough (answer- adrenaline will kick in in an emergency, or just bang the bottom on a hard bit of boat instead of using your hand!)
There was a time when you could take old flares along to these events to let off, but everything I've heard recently is that they will only let off flares they've brought with them for health and safety reasons /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
Also you get to look and and 'try' lots of blanks, which is really useful, as all the makes have different firing mechanisms, and starts to make you understand that it's not that easy to tell one end from another in a classroom, so might be a little difficult if taking them out in a F8 at night in wet and rough conditions, and that trying to read instructions by torch in those conditions might not be a good idea.
You then get to go and let off lots of parachute and hand held flares as dark sets in - of different makes - supject to coastguard approval which can vary by the minute (if they have a local emergency, they may stop the live firing at last moment). They have to be informed as they get loads of calls when these training exercises happen.
You learn a hell of a lot though, from firing parachute flares downwind, to needing to have heavy duty gloves kept in flare container, as these things throw off lots of red hot dross (which also means you hold hand held flares down wind over the side of the boat, or you'll set fire to it underneath you!, and don't under estimate this, as a burning flare dropped into a metal bucket full of water will burn through the bottom of it!) to the fact that handheld flares need one heck of a thump to set them off, and most of the ladies couldn't hit them hard enough (answer- adrenaline will kick in in an emergency, or just bang the bottom on a hard bit of boat instead of using your hand!)
There was a time when you could take old flares along to these events to let off, but everything I've heard recently is that they will only let off flares they've brought with them for health and safety reasons /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
billcowan
Member
Just set em off on bonfire night, inland a bit.
Actually flares are MUCH better than the crappy fireworks that THEY let you buy now, and CHEAPER too.
Actually flares are MUCH better than the crappy fireworks that THEY let you buy now, and CHEAPER too.
BrendanS
Well-known member
Tut tut. You obviously haven't been out and about in the past 30 years or so. Fireworks are far more impressive than flares, give a better display, and last much longer. They are intended for a different job though - they don't go so high, they don't position as well, and quite simply are far more boring.
You are right though, A £150 super bomb type firework would gain a lot of attention if I could set it off at sea, so will set up a few of them on foredeck in hope at least one will go off when required
You are right though, A £150 super bomb type firework would gain a lot of attention if I could set it off at sea, so will set up a few of them on foredeck in hope at least one will go off when required
G
Guest
Guest
Re: BrendanS
I am sure that I have read somewhere that you can be fined in France for out of date flares.
Can anyone confirm?
I am sure that I have read somewhere that you can be fined in France for out of date flares.
Can anyone confirm?
Bodach na mara
Well-known member
Hear Hear! PBO this month has an article about a test firing day with the RNLI. How about them arranging similar at local stations, possibly as a fund-raising event. Bring along out-dated flares and let the crew have a shot of firing them.
I have fired off several rockets, well inland and on nights with lots of other fireworks going off, and can testify that the practise is well worthwhile. This must be the only safety device that we are not allowed to practise with before having to use it in earnest. Not a very safe situation.
I have fired off several rockets, well inland and on nights with lots of other fireworks going off, and can testify that the practise is well worthwhile. This must be the only safety device that we are not allowed to practise with before having to use it in earnest. Not a very safe situation.
Cantata
Well-known member
Re: BrendanS
Yes, across the Channel they might look at the dates on your flares if they come and visit.
You won't be allowed to set off out of date flares at flare demo days, for obvious reasons.
Any CG station should be able to take them. For those who can't find the phone number - look in Reeds Almanac. The major stations are listed in there, if you ask them they will probably get the local CG team to take them off your hands.
The CG does encourage chandleries to collect them on their behalf, but not many do.
And yes I am a CG.
Yes, across the Channel they might look at the dates on your flares if they come and visit.
You won't be allowed to set off out of date flares at flare demo days, for obvious reasons.
Any CG station should be able to take them. For those who can't find the phone number - look in Reeds Almanac. The major stations are listed in there, if you ask them they will probably get the local CG team to take them off your hands.
The CG does encourage chandleries to collect them on their behalf, but not many do.
And yes I am a CG.
WayneS
Active member
Your local police station should take them.
Our does in Reading.
Cheers
Wayne
Our does in Reading.
Cheers
Wayne
Sea Devil
Well-known member
Fined in France
99% certain that fining for out of date flares only applies to French registered boats -
The French cannot impose their rules on British or non French registered vessels - British registered boats are not required to conform to the same rules as French Reg boats - The events of New Zealand authorities trying to enforce their rules on non NZ boats ended with egg on their face........
99% certain that fining for out of date flares only applies to French registered boats -
The French cannot impose their rules on British or non French registered vessels - British registered boats are not required to conform to the same rules as French Reg boats - The events of New Zealand authorities trying to enforce their rules on non NZ boats ended with egg on their face........
A
Anonymous
Guest
Re: BrendanS
[ QUOTE ]
Yes, across the Channel they might look at the dates on your flares if they come and visit.
[/ QUOTE ]Firstly,I ask this question to get an understanding of the exact legal/regulation position, not because I want to go around with out of date flares and since you are a CG........
It is my understanding that there is no legal requirement for a UK flagged yacht (below a certain, quite large, size) to carry any flares at all so no authority - UK or foreign - has any right under international maritime law to require the carriage of flares, or examine their condition, in tidal waters. Inland waterways might be a different issue, I think. Is that correct, do you know?
[ QUOTE ]
Yes, across the Channel they might look at the dates on your flares if they come and visit.
[/ QUOTE ]Firstly,I ask this question to get an understanding of the exact legal/regulation position, not because I want to go around with out of date flares and since you are a CG........
It is my understanding that there is no legal requirement for a UK flagged yacht (below a certain, quite large, size) to carry any flares at all so no authority - UK or foreign - has any right under international maritime law to require the carriage of flares, or examine their condition, in tidal waters. Inland waterways might be a different issue, I think. Is that correct, do you know?
Stemar
Well-known member
Re: Fined in France
The problem is that an officious official may slap an on the spot fine and impound your boat until it's paid.
Fight it and you'll probably win and get your boat back - in six months time. In the mean time they'll have decided you've got more red diesel in your tank than you should have and slap a €1000 fine on you for that too. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
The problem is that an officious official may slap an on the spot fine and impound your boat until it's paid.
Fight it and you'll probably win and get your boat back - in six months time. In the mean time they'll have decided you've got more red diesel in your tank than you should have and slap a €1000 fine on you for that too. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif
