Buying new flares this year?

[jssailem]

Not all lasers are the same. The one James referenced is a Laser Flare.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Included in the law is Section 311 "Prohibition Against Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft". Section 311 39A(c)(3) on page 56 specifically exempts "an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal."

I would expect waving that in the dark aimed at a passing vessel or search aircraft (when you are at the top of the waves)

Might cause them to turn and come your way, if they saw it. It would be an unnatural event and that is what you want to attract their attention.

 

[thinwater]

I considered that solution, but the electronic "flares" are really "LOCATE" devices with a range of maybe 2 miles or so. The pyrotechnic flares are "ALERT" devices with a visual range of about 20 miles. According to what I have read, the ALERT devices will be visible and the LOCATE devices will let a rescue party zero in on you.
So for my application I felt that the pyrotechnic devices were a better choice.

The range of a USCG approved electronic flare is 10 miles, not 2 miles. They are blinding at close range if you get in the beam at night (personal experience). At 2 miles they are not just visible, they are easily video taped with a hand held pocket camera. They are visible to SAR with night vission up to 20 miles (USCG ratings).

Note: there are only a few that are USCG approved. There is no point is discussing the others.

The real questions are ...

• What is your use? Inshore? Offshore?
• How will you ACTUALLY summon help? It is VERY unlikely that SAR will be alerted by your flare. It was the cell phone, VHF, or EPIRB that called them.
• Recognizably. I've tested flares, and although they can be seen at greater, there are serious shortcomings:
  • They only last minutes to seconds. Thus they are only useful if you are pretty sure someone is looking at you. An electronic flare works for 6 hours, or longer with a battery change.
  • Electronic flares blink SOS. They can't be confused with shore lights or running lights.
  • They are not red, they are a white spot at any distance. A hand held flare will almost certainly be confused with distant shore or running lights. The only real use is for close approach when they already see you.
  • Visibility to SAR. Modern electronic flares blink SOS and they have an IR beam for SAR pilots using night vision.
  • If I see a white light at a great distance for a few minutes (probably less, since I was looking the other way), I am most likely to assume it is a running light and think no more about it. If it is flashing SOS, that is obvious.

I have tested flares and electronic flares side-by-side at ranges up to a mile. There is absolutely NO question, in coastal waters, that the SOS flash is more noticeable and recognizable, particularly if there are any background lights (any chance of other boats within 20 miles). You need to see them side-by-side to see just how vivid the difference is.

Yes, flares are brighter. SOLAS aerial flares are more recognizable. Both would be best, if that is what you want. But saying that pyrotecnics are "best" or "better" is not clearly true. They are different. An electronic flare is head and shoulders above a hand-held flare for summoning help, which is where the thread started, which is why the USCG developed them.

 

[dLj]

Add that to your safety list @dLj $260 but...

Who knows what that means, today?
Rescue Laser Flare® Green signaling device

I have my flares in a water proof Ditch Box

We have this discussion every year.

We should add that to the

FAQ's

Jim...

Yeah, I'd probably get this $20 one, visible up to 10 miles.

Mars Star Laser Pointer - The Best Laser Pointer For Astronomy - BigLaserPointers.com

Mas laser pointer is able to burn matches. The red is the best for burning. The green is the brightest. Mars laser is the most popular laser pointer in the U.S. Lightweight design with safety keys Various light patterns with starry heads and a single beam after removing heads. Focus is zoom able.

biglaserpointers.com

I haven't noticed these discussions in the past. I agree, might be good to put this in the FAQ's...

dj

 

[Rick486]

Not all lasers are the same. The one James referenced is a Laser Flare.

Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Included in the law is Section 311 "Prohibition Against Aiming a Laser Pointer at an Aircraft". Section 311 39A(c)(3) on page 56 specifically exempts "an individual using a laser emergency signaling device to send an emergency distress signal."

I would expect waving that in the dark aimed at a passing vessel or search aircraft (when you are at the top of the waves)
View attachment 215888

Might cause them to turn and come your way, if they saw it. It would be an unnatural event and that is what you want to be to them.

Almost peed my pants just looking at this pic......my goodness..

 

[jssailem]

Not a great idea @dj...
The $20 pointer is just that a focused beam... It would not serve well to reach out and signal some one as it is a pinpoint of light. The one @JamesG161 posted looks like a bar of light not a single point beam.

Reading in the patent documents, it appears a Darren Gallo invented the electronic flare. The USCG recognized the value of the tool and developed a standard to which manufactures must adhere to receive USCG approval.

 

[jonelli]

I'm no expert, just a coastal local sailor. But, I have lots of expired flares, and one time during Covid WM didn't even have any, so to stay legal I bought the electronic one too. Now I still keep my expired flares, gun, handhelds, but put fresh batteries in the electronic one each year. From what I've been told, the flares are unlikely to go bad that fast, and will likely still work for a long time. I don't know that from experience, just from what I've been told.

 

[Davidasailor26]

From what I've been told, the flares are unlikely to go bad that fast, and will likely still work for a long time. I don't know that from experience, just from what I've been told.

During the same sock burning I mentioned above the local maritime museum tested a couple pre-WWII era flares (held on a really long stick, just in case). They worked just like new. YMMV.

 

[jonelli]

During the same sock burning I mentioned above the local maritime museum tested a couple pre-WWII era flares (held on a really long stick, just in case). They worked just like new. YMMV.

Yah, I mean, gun powder actually doesn't go bad.

 

[thinwater]

Everyone should burn an old flare (at home in a safe place) for several reasons:

• To see that they really do last. Kept in a sealed bag a decade is normal. Even longer with silica gel. Or double bag.
• To see how much slag they throw and how to hold them. Leather gloves are smart. They will melt a hole in your gelcoat unless you hold them WELL over the side.
• Don't wave it. At a distance of more than 1/4-mile the waving will not be visible and it will throw the slag.

Everyone with an electronic flare should test hanging it in the rigging under way. You do NOT want to hand hold for several reasons.

• Most do not come with proper hanging harness. Makes no sense.
• Must hang dead level . like an anchor light, the bam is focused in the horizontal plane.
• Must not swing unduely. No bungee cords, no nylon. Does not need to be very high or near the top of the mast.

 

[Rick Webb]

For several years I organized a "Flare Day" at our club. Everyone could come and dispense their expired stuff and see what they look like. I was a member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary at the time so coordination with the local Coast Guard Station was a snap. A simple call to the Sheriff's Department, Fish and Wildlife local office took care of the rest. The idea was the first time you are using a distress signal should not be when in extremis and a chance to handle anything that goes bang, explodes or burns is a treat.

We shot off everything from 12 gauge, 25mm, even 40mm aerial stuff. Guys would show up with stuff out of their military flight bag that they forgot to turn in 20 years before. It was instructive and a blast (figuratively). I have fired off easily hundreds of different types along with dozens while in the military.

Through that experience I totally gave up of the 12 gauge aerial flare and only carry the handheld ones now for coastal use. The handheld flares are not really different than road flares with a bit of a handle for the slag that drops off. I keep a glove and a piece of PVC pipe to extend the reach and to help keep the slag off the boat which would be even more important on an inflatable.

 

[Rick Webb]

Keep your pyro in something like this:

0.50 Caliber Ammo Box (harborfreight.com)