Since when

[Emjaytoo]

I've been carrying the same set of "spare bulbs" in a neat carry case, all sold to me by Ford in 1991. Since that time I've owned Ford, Vauxhall, Renault, Rover, Nissan and currently have a six month old VW. Do they work? No idea! Would they fit any of the cars I've carried them in? Do I care?

Would they satisfy the law in France/Belgium/Netherlands where I drive most weekends?

Now that's another matter.

 

[boatmike]

Yeah I know! But that does not mean they don't work after 10, just that no one in the MoD is going to challenge makers recommendations and as the makers all say 3 years thats what they do! Do you really think Pains Wessex et al would say "It's allright chaps you don't need to worry, we will increase the life to 5,6,10 years whatever so long as you keep them above 5 degrees and don't get them wet?

 

[Scillypete]

The worrying bit in the article was the quote from RYA cruising officer Carol Paddison she says 'Having the odd outdated flare is an easy mistake to make. why not note expiry dates in your diary to be safe?'

Having out of date flares is not a mistake on my boat I tend to keep them as back up ones to the in date ones should the need ever arise. I would hazard a guess that this is the same on many boats. Obviously there does come a time when I will give them up for disposal.

 

[Matrosen]

Here in Germany we must also carry a spare complete set of bulbs and a complete first aid kit. To be legal we must carry two of each! One to satisfy the authorities and one for us to actually use.
In practise, if you are stopped, they never check and when I have been stopped (twice, routine checks) I just become very English; "Terribly sorry, old boy, don't speak German I'm afraid" which is usually followed by a couple of seconds silence followed by "OK, go on your way" (In English)