White Flares

[graham]

I dont know about the legal side of it but if you do fire a white flare ashore remember that it will be red hot or still burning when it lands.

I heard a story about someone illuminating the entrance to Porlock Weir with one causing some alarm to the occupiers of the thatched cottages next to the harbour!

 

[MedMan]

I agree with your logic. I have never bought nor felt I needed a white flare in 30 years offshore sailing. My usual tactic is to keep well clear of any large vessel but, on those few occasions when it would be not only right but very much easier for the 'steamer' to give way, I use my search light. Despite the admonition not to do so I point it straight at the bridge and give repeated bursts of 5 flashes. It can't harm the night vision of the Officer on Watch any more than a white flare would do and it harms mine far less. It is also very much cheaper and less dangerous to use.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.geocities.com/yachtretreat/>http://www.geocities.com/yachtretreat/</A>

 

[BrendanS]

I think there is some confusion here in terminology. Flares are typically handheld. Rockets or parachute flares are the ones that go up in the sky.