Coast Guard Inspections

[Scott B]

The Coast Guard expects to see flare guns aboard and usually would be surprised not to find them.

Ummmm, yeah, aren't we SUPPOSED to have flare guns on board??? last time I looked, flare guns were listed as one of the MANDATORY type of flares required to be carried on board.

and firing a shotgun shell from a plastic toy... Darwin strikes again

 

[Ross]

Ummmm, yeah, aren't we SUPPOSED to have flare guns on board??? last time I looked, flare guns were listed as one of the MANDATORY type of flares required to be carried on board.

and firing a shotgun shell from a plastic toy... Darwin strikes again

No. Three hand held flares is the requirement.

 

[sailingdog]

Or if he had even bothered to read my post, just before his, where I elaborated on your original reply...

BTW, the adapters that Tim was describing are available HERE.

I guess I should have spelled it out exactly. Yes, there is a metal based adapter so you can fire live ammunition from a flare gun.

And I do not appreciate your first sentence. Also, if you read the entire thread before typing your insults you would see I responded that it is an adapter. I am fully aware that 12 gauge is 12 gauge.

 

[Ross]

Aww! let's get real crusty here. Shotgun gauges are determined by the number of round lead balls the diameter of the bore to make one pound. Except for the venerable .410 which is realy a calibre.

 

[Scott B]

Can't say I'd put a 12 gauge shell into a flare gun a pull the trigger, insert or no insert, link or no link If you've ever fired a shotgun, ( you may have or not ) but I wouldn't put one in a plastic toy and try to hold the recoil....

Ross, I am required to carry "Twelve (12) flares of Type A, B, C or D, not more than six (6) of which are of Type D"

 

[sailingdog]

Just curious, what are types A, B, C & D????

Can't say I'd put a 12 gauge shell into a flare gun a pull the trigger, insert or no insert, link or no link If you've ever fired a shotgun, ( you may have or not ) but I wouldn't put one in a plastic toy and try to hold the recoil....

Ross, I am required to carry "Twelve (12) flares of Type A, B, C or D, not more than six (6) of which are of Type D"

 

[Hermit Scott]

Yeah, yeah we heard it happened to a kid in TX. This isn't true..??



I can't see, I can't see...



Just don't touch him with those hairy palms....

No. It happened to a kid in Maine.


Coastie -"Get down! He's got a gun!"
sailboater- "I had some leaking chain pla....."
coastie -"Blam Blam Blam"

good thread, we can go a lot of different directions with it.

 

[Lee Thompson]

Wow Its been a long winter . As a former coastie we never considered a flare gun a "firearm" . The question being " Captain with out reaching for them do you have any firearms onboard?"

Lee

 

[txtowman]

so? can I carry a 3 shot twelve guage shotgun? are there any states that do not allow them?

 

[Scott B]

Just curious, what are types A, B, C & D????

The types must be a Canadian rating system?

Type A: Rocket Parachute Flare:
Type B: Multi-Star Flare
Type C: Hand-Held Flare
Type D: Smoke Signal (Buoyant or Hand-Held):

 

[Eddie7045]

Lee, off hand, that's why I tend to discount the

story. Sounds like one of those 200 mile per gallon carbuerator stories. Could be true but I doubt it.

 

[digby sailor]

Aww! let's get real crusty here. Shotgun gauges are determined by the number of round lead balls the diameter of the bore to make one pound. Except for the venerable .410 which is realy a calibre.

100% correct ross.I should have worded my post differently but what I was getting at is that a 12 gauge shell is the same diameter as a 12 guage flare and an insert would not work to fire a twelve guage shell in a 12 guage flare gun not that the assemble would be able to stand that type of pressure anyways.....however the insert deal would be doable if going to a sub or smaller calibre(or size lol) such as 16 or 410.But the same would still be true for pressures in a plastic flare gun...not a likely senario to encounter.I think someone else has already stated darwin award applies here.

 

[Bad Obsession]

Damn....Does this mean that some of us have to report the gun deck and/or cannon battery as a firearm. CRAP!!!!! LOL

 

[Rick Webb]

Tex

None worth visiting

 

[Ross]

Damn....Does this mean that some of us have to report the gun deck and/or cannon battery as a firearm. CRAP!!!!! LOL

I want a pedistal mounted .50 like the coasties have.

 

[Calif. Ted]

Type A: Rocket Parachute Flare:
Type B: Multi-Star Flare
Type C: Hand-Held Flare
Type D: Smoke Signal (Buoyant or Hand-Held):

In California these are known as "illegal fireworks" and we have to drive to an Indian Reservation in Nevada to buy ours for the 4th of July.
I don't remember if the coasties asked about firearms when I was boarded last June, but we are in "smuggler's alley" and weapons for self defense are not unknown aboard boats.
I have to close my eyes and turn my head when I fire a flare from one of those POS plastic 12Ga guns, I can't imagine being brave (?) enough to fire a live round.

 

[Ariel]

Based on my origional question asking if anyone had experienced this, I guess no one has had this happen.

I believe my first instinct was correct, that the item I read was a hoax.

Dave
s/v ARIEL

 

[Ross]

Based on my origional question asking if anyone had experienced this, I guess no one has had this happen.

I believe my first instinct was correct, that the item I read was a hoax.

Dave
s/v ARIEL

That is a polite term.

 

[Warren Milberg]

Are any flares needed at all?

FYI:
"Non-Pyrotechnic Devices


Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals must be in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and certified by the manufacturer as complying with USCG requirements. They include:

• Orange distress flag
• Electric distress light.

The distress flag is a day signal only. It must be at least 3 x 3 feet with a black square and ball on an orange background. It is most distinctive when attached and waved on a paddle, boathook, or flown from a mast.
The electric distress light is accepted for night use only and must automatically flash the international SOS distress signal ( ... --- ... )
Under Inland Navigation Rules, a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 - 70 times per minute is considered a distress signal.
Regulations prohibit display of visual distress signals on the water under any circumstances except when assistance is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to persons on board a vessel.
All distress signals have distinct advantages and disadvantages. No single device is ideal under all conditions or suitable for all purposes. Pyrotechnics are universally recognized as excellent distress signals. However, there is potential for injury and property damage if not properly handled. These devices produce a very hot flame and the residue can cause burns and ignite flammable material.
Pistol launched and hand-held parachute flares and meteors have many characteristics of a firearm and must be handled with caution. In some states they are considered a firearm and prohibited from use. "

 

[sailingdog]

I'd point out that getting SOLAS grade flares is generally a much better idea than getting USCG approved ones. Not only are the SOLAS ones more visible, they are often safer to use. For instance, the SOLAS requirements for handheld flares include that the flares not drop hot slag—which is not the case with USCG flares.