It's Flare Season
- Thread starter shemandr
- Start date
You might be interest to know, according to two magazines: "Weams and Plath... has been selected as this year's recipient of the Canadian Safe Boating Council's 'Safeguarding the environment' award, ... The SOS Distress Light was chosen because it is a safe, non-toxic, fully recyclable, user friendly LED light signal." yadda yadda. [This must have gone to press in early January for Spinsheet.com.
The article says "the SOS light is a supplement to pyrotechnic flares...".
Flares as made today are incredibly toxic and the CG and others are working to set up safe disposal for expired flares. according to my CG sources, one flare not fully burned can contaminate 250,000 gallons of water - remember when they used to tell us to soak them in water and then throw away? Practice sessions are being prohibited without proper containment and permits, and technically using a flare in a non-emergency situation would violate EPA regulations. At least in the NE, there's almost no way to dispose of old flares - there are only a couple of incinerators in the US licensed to burn them. Recently, a local organization that had accumulated old flares decided to ship them to one of the sites to be burned; a single barrel cost over $10,000 because of the permits and special handling. Get the electronic flare, save yourself money, and help protect the waters we love.
Chuck, my sailing club (SOS) collects expired flares from our skippers and gives them new ones we get at discount. For the oldies, we have a "Safety Day" in April. We shoot the flares of all types- SOLAS INCLUDED- and have fires that members can put out with fire extinguishers, and a coiled line-tossing area. We advise DNR, fire department, and CG a week ahead, plus on the morning of the shoot. The CG radios a VHF alert. This happens off the Rhode River in April.
IIRC the newspaper article, the police in Annapolis just started taking in flares.
IIRC the newspaper article, the police in Annapolis just started taking in flares.
Passed on the Weems and Plath and got an Ocean Signal EDF1 (https://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Signal...8&qid=1488249636&sr=8-3&keywords=ocean+signal). Brighter than all get out in flashing red. Will definitely get attention during the day as well as night.
Ray,
Just curious-
Why did you pass on the W& P, with a 10 mile range, 6 hour at full brightness, 60 hr battery life, CG approved.
For a 7 mile range, ? hour full brightness, 6 hr battery life, non approved
Just curious-
Why did you pass on the W& P, with a 10 mile range, 6 hour at full brightness, 60 hr battery life, CG approved.
For a 7 mile range, ? hour full brightness, 6 hr battery life, non approved
Newport Bob and SFS. The W&P looks like a toy. In the tent at the Annapolis Boat Show if you set off the Ocean Signal you have to look away or it will blind you, not so much at all for the W&P. For my $$$ I want to be seen.
Also the way both Ocean Signal and W&P get away with the requirement is you need a signaling flag during the day time. The white LED from the W&P will attract no attention during the day, that is why they include the flag.
Transport Canada responded to my inquiry about the W & P light. Seems that they're waiting to see what USCG does and follow suit?
The signal light that you refer to is not an alternative to an approved Pyrotechnic Distress Signal required by the Small Vessel Regulations.
A new standard for Electronic Visual Signal Devices is being developed by industry in the United States through the USCG. Transport Canada is monitoring that development and its relevance to alternatives for pyrotechnic signals in the future.
The signal light that you refer to is not an alternative to an approved Pyrotechnic Distress Signal required by the Small Vessel Regulations.
A new standard for Electronic Visual Signal Devices is being developed by industry in the United States through the USCG. Transport Canada is monitoring that development and its relevance to alternatives for pyrotechnic signals in the future.
I havecome to a compromise. I now carry an electronic flare for night time use. But i also carry orange smokes for daytime use. Neither one is good for the wrong time of day. I do not consider the orange flag sufficient for day use but the USCG does accept it.
