Out of date Flares

[WayneS]

When I purchased buy boat, lurking in one of the lockers I found a bucketload, yes, shedloads, of old flares dates the late 80's and early 90's.

What should I do with them, I assume that chucking them out with the weekly rubbish is a no-no.

Is it still safe to use them for practice (I live 75 miles from the coast so no fear of alerting the coastguard).

Thanks in advance.

Wayne

 

[steve_cronin]

Don\'t do that...

.. because a parachute flare or even a miniflare is designed to burn right down to sea level and let the water extinguish it. Domestic fireworks on the other hand are designed to go out whilst still airborn to avoid setting the neighbours' property on fire.
Chandlers will take them and return them to the manufacturers for disposal. However judging by the severe adverse publicity regarding landmine manufacture that is imminently coming the way of a major british manufacturer, I would get that done sooner rather than later because their commercial well-being might soon take a turn for the worse!

Steve CRonin

 

[gtmoore]

As I understand it, you're supposed to take them to the Coast Guard for disposal. I have the same problem with my recently purchased boat - I think some are the originals from 1982!! I'm not sure if you just turn up at your local CG station with them or what - must get round to it one day!

Not having ever let off a flare, I'm desperate to try just one (of the more recent ones!) but I can still hear my RYA instructors voice regarding old flares and how they can be a bit unpredictable. Also I don't want to alert anyone by mistake (even if I do live in Croydon which like you is some way from a coast guard).

 

[rogerroger]

I'm told you can also hand them to a police station.

Why not make it more fun by wearing a ski mask while doing it, run in waving a lit orange smoke around shouting at the top of your voice.

let us know how you get on.

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[WayneS]

Thanks for all you help guys.

Just spoken to the CG who confirmed that I could hand them over to them.

Bummer, I wanted to have some fun.....

 

[JeremyF]

In the light of this morning's news, you might be able to sell them back to Pains Wessex, who could convert them to dodgey anti-personnel devices and flog them to some bankrupt 3rd world countyr

Jeremy Flynn

 

[BrianJ]

Dont toss them out...
Question = have you ever fired a flare ? If not does the local CG have days or nights when they organise a "flare" night/day"
Why not get your club to oganise a "flareup" and invite other clubs to participate. We do.
Once you have fired a few you feel confident and when that emergency comes, dont have to read the instructions.
I have seen flares on cruising yachts over 15 years old and yes they do work. We had to fire off some during the new safety course for SYD/HBT or MEL/Hbt and all Victoria Ocean Races not so long ago, some people came with their VERY outdated flares. They worked. THe secret is in the packing.
I say dont toss 'em out
BrianJ

 

[Mirelle]

I let off some 1970's ones in the 1980's (hand helds) by sticking them in the flower beds rather than holding them.

They spat out a lot of dross and the red colour had just about gone.

I think that recently out of date ones (say late 1990's!) are worth keeping on board as spares.

 

[Chris_Stannard]

Watch your fingers

If the flares have got damp, and have cardboard shells as opposed to the modern plastic shells, the gunpowder may have migrated into the case. If this has happened the case may well burn, and your fingers with it! Best advice with flares is keep a strong leather gardening glove in the flare box, and put it on to let off your flares if you ever have too.

The RNLI Water Safety Office at Poole can arrange for a flare demonstration for clubs and this includes letting off flares. They co-ordinate the activity all over the country. They can also arrange for liferaft demos etc if you are interested.

Chris Stannard

 

[alant]

Had similar problem some time ago, called Coastguard - they suggested local police station (if one exists). Had to complete loads of forms & police were not keen (Lymington).
Had some firemen one a school boat last week & they suggested handing into local firestation.

 

[Guest]

I had exactly the same problem - flares dated to 1972 found on a wooden boat in the paint shed of all places. I wrang the coastgaurd and a very nice man in a dry suit turned up on a large rib the following morning to collect them (maybe for berial at sea) Now that is what I call service 10 out of 10 for Liverpool coastgard
If you are going to try firing flares that old might I suggest you ring for the ambulance first!!


Roly, Voya Con Dios, Glasson, Lancaster http://www.voya.pwp.blueyonder.co.uk//MW1/Intropage.htm

 

[coliholic]

But then since it was the Liverpool coastguard, he probably thought, when you said 70's flares, that it was going to be some sort of shell suit. Hence the quick response.

 

[tome]

I keep mine damp, just in case

 

[HMCG]

Here is the official stance -
RED FLARES - by firing red flares in ANY location when not in distress you are breaking the law.

Here are some references for you to look at:


INTERNATIONAL COLLISION REGULATIONS 1972 RULE 37 ANNEX 4.
MISUSE OF DISTRESS FLARES SECT 21 OF THE 1949 SAFETY CONVENTION ACT
INTERNATIONAL CODE OF SIGNALS.
MERCHANT SHIPPING NOTICE M1418 DISPOSAL OF OUT OF DAT PYRO'S.
MERCHANT NAVY ACT (SAFETY AT SEA) 1986.
MERCHANT SHIPPING NOTICE 237 1981.

THE PENALTIES COULD BE:-
A FINE NOT EXCEEDING ONE THOUSAND POUNDS, LIABLE TO PAY FOR ANY LABOUR UNDERTAKEN IN LAUNCHING OF LIFEBOATS, HELICOPTERS, ETC.

Also of note is the fact that out of date flares are unreliable. I have been involved in incidents where flares had been fired which were out of date by only 2 years. On these occasions when the parachute flares were fired by vessels in distress they only managed to gain a few feet before burning out and dying. The only reason that they were rescued was the fact that other vessels in the area had noted that they were immobile and looked in difficulty. If the flares had worked they would have been rescued more rapidly.

Also of note is the fact that an out of date flare has a very real chance of litteraly blowing up in your face.

Remember a VHF can save your life.