Yacht Crewed By Family Hits Growler Near Falkland's

[Searush]

I have just decided that my 1977 parachute flares have got to go. They have been sitting at the back of a locker since Sea Rush was a wee dinghy.

 

[Kilter]

I have just decided that my 1977 parachute flares have got to go. They have been sitting at the back of a locker since Sea Rush was a wee dinghy.

Original 70s flares no less!

 

[Ludd]

I was actually on HMS Clyde when they picked up the Hollinsclough family. When we arrived sea conditions were rough, 6-7 sea state and even a few miles away we couldn't see the yacht on radar or visually. Carl lit a smoke flare on the yacht and they were seen easily. Even with 2 EPIRBS it was well worth having flares on board.

For the record growlers are relatively small bergs of very dense hard ice derived from glaciers not sea ice. They are so dense they float very low in the water often barely breaking the surface, hence they are difficult to see. They are often very clear ice as well.

The family are all well and now back in the Falklands. A close call that could have been much worse. If you are planning on heading down this way EPIRBS are a pretty good idea!

Welcome to the forum,and thank you for that info.Good job they HADN'T ditched their flares!
Your input makes it pretty clear that EPIRB and FLARES are complementary, not either /or.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Original 70s flares no less!

He could offer them to the Open University ...

 

[Kilter]

He could offer them to the Open University ...

He lectures to the OU!