Sirius Electronic Flare, now US Coastguard approved.

[rotrax]

Seen on an American boating site that the Sirius C1002 electronic flare has been approved by the US Coastguard.

$299.95 Stateside.

Looks good on their website.

 

[Wing Mark]

300 dollars is similar money to a PLB which doesn't rely on some random member of the public seeing your twinkling LED and realising it's distress signal.

Of course in some circumstances, the flare would get you help much quicker.

But how often do flares actually get used? And how often do they actually get the desired help?

The PLB / EPIRB system is not really designed to compete with flares, the system is seriously rooted in the middle of last century.
Is it time for an open-minded re-think of how we call for help looking forwards to say 2030?

 

[rotrax]

I dont understand your answer.

I assume all of us on here are in total agreement that flares - pyrotechnic or electrical - do not compete with distress beacons. They are an entirely different aid to assist SAR Services.

Some Authorities/States require flares to be carried on leisure craft.

There is now a reasonable alternative to pyrotechnic flares.

Thats all - a prudent Skipper will have both a locator beacon and flares - of whatever type they decide on, or is legal for their juristiction.

Both pyrotechnic and electronic flares are far less effective in daylight. Both work well in the dark.

The choice, of course, will be entirely up to the Skipper/Owner.

 

[Ningaloo]

The choice, of course, will be entirely up to the Skipper/Owner.

Not entirely. My understanding is that electronic flares do not meet the Merchant Shipping Regulations requirement to carry flares on UK registered boats 13m+.
I reluctantly carry both. I'd be happy to abandon pyrotechnics.

 

[rotrax]

IIRC the CA's RATS commitee are looking at this too.

Pyrotechnics are last century and have serious issues.

You perhaps missed line 6 of post #3. I qualify a prudent Skippers choice with the words:- " or is legal for their juristiction "

 

[Sandy]

Seen on an American boating site that the Sirius C1002 electronic flare has been approved by the US Coastguard.

I am quietly scratching my head here wondering what impact that has on a skipper in the UK. Answers on a postcard please.

 

[Sandy]

Pyrotechnics are last century and have serious issues.

Would you care to expand on that statement?

I know of only one incident many years ago when a pyrotechnic caused serious harm to an individual. Thankfully, Duncan is alive and well. The other incident were there was damage to a boat; was were the skippers understanding of a cool dry place was under a cockpit hatch in Greece (I can only guess what the ambient temperature in the locker was but it must have been greater than 50°C).

 

[rotrax]

Tried to dispose of any recently?

The cost, for what are just expensive fireworks, is high and their 'in date' life short.

As I state, there is a move towards getting suitable electronic replacements approved.

The Sirius C1002 and C1003 might be such.

We are sending probes to the outer edges of our solar system.

The vehicles are very high tech and full of electronics.

But are, I grant, sent on their way by huge fireworks so perhaps there is a place for both types!

 

[capnsensible]

300 dollars is similar money to a PLB which doesn't rely on some random member of the public seeing your twinkling LED and realising it's distress signal.

Of course in some circumstances, the flare would get you help much quicker.

But how often do flares actually get used? And how often do they actually get the desired help?

The PLB / EPIRB system is not really designed to compete with flares, the system is seriously rooted in the middle of last century.
Is it time for an open-minded re-think of how we call for help looking forwards to say 2030?

Using better chemicals for combustion that have a shelf life of at least five years would be a start. I've sat next to missiles that last longer...

 

[roblpm]

Tried to dispose of any recently?

The cost, for what are just expensive fireworks, is high and their 'in date' life short.

As I state, there is a move towards getting suitable electronic replacements approved.

The Sirius C1002 and C1003 might be such.

We are sending probes to the outer edges of our solar system.

The vehicles are very high tech and full of electronics.

But are, I grant, sent on their way by huge fireworks so perhaps there is a place for both types!

I disposed of mine by leaving them in my ex-wife's garage when I moved out......!

However, there is still a load of boat stuff in there too so when I eventually clear it out I will do the right thing! Actually, what is the right thing?!!

 

[Sandy]

Tried to dispose of any recently?

The cost, for what are just expensive fireworks, is high and their 'in date' life short.

As I state, there is a move towards getting suitable electronic replacements approved.

The Sirius C1002 and C1003 might be such.

We are sending probes to the outer edges of our solar system.

The vehicles are very high tech and full of electronics.

But are, I grant, sent on their way by huge fireworks so perhaps there is a place for both types!

Disposal is extremely easy walk into a chandlery, 'I need to buy some pyrotechnics, will you take my old ones?'

If answer ='yes' hand over old pyrotechnics, some cash and collect new pyrotechnics else find a better chandlery

Alternatively, take the French option. This can only be done on 14/07 during the hours of darkness and usually in the company of sever dozen French sailing vessels. Set off flares. A brilliant training event.

While we are sending very high tech vehicles to the outer edges of our solar system, I do follow the Scott Manley YouTube Channel, they are strictly monitored by very experienced and qualified scientist and every once in a while things go catastrophically wrong, like rockets exploding as they lift off or technical issues with the James Webb telescope that caused delays.

There is space for both. I want to see the development of a combined AIS/PLB device. If I go overboard I want to wake up everybody on watch within a 10 NM radius and at the same time notify the CG because I fully expect to have a visit to the local general hospital.

I also want to use pyrotechnics, used at the right time are brilliant. They have WOW factor. From what I've seen an electronic flare does not.

Note: I'm an ex-Mountain Rescue Team Member who use pyrotechnics to communicate with RAF Search and Rescue Helicopters a very long time ago.