Safety on the Pamlico.

[Ed Schenck]

Is everyone up-to-date with their fire extinguishers and flares? What else should I be thinking about as I prepare to sail on the Neuse and Pamlico Sound?Over the years I have been negligent with both. I am wondering what the local water gendarmes will say when they see the dates on my three fire ext. and array of flares? Neither are that expensive until you replenish as often as you are supposed to. But when I see how difficult it is to get rid of flares and then the "Full" indicator always in the green it is hard to let go of the greenbacks.In about three weeks I will go back to the boat in NC for some work and sailing. I guess I should go on down to the Morehead City WM and use my plastic money. Besides an oil change I wonder what else I am forgetting before I untie. Picture is of a Catalina 38 following us in the Dismal Swamp canal on the way to the Pamlico Sound.

 

[Ross]

I keep all of my old flares as long as they look good they probably are

I buy new ones to be compliant. My fire extinguishers are geting to the age where they need to be recertified. I don't have the little bottles required but big bottles capable of putting out a fire. Those are servicable.

 

[Joseph Shirley]

I try to keep my flares current but I also keep my old flares

The fire extinguisher is a different story. If I'm not mistaken, and will hear if I am, they only have to have a tag on them certifying that they have been checked (within the year I think)and are OK. I believe its acceptable to make this check yourself by weighing each and initialing the tag. So the thing is to weigh them when you first get them and record it, then check the weight against that figure. The recert as I understand it is to catch one that has bleed off with the dial stuck.I'l be waiting to hear if I'm wrong.Joe S

 

[Ross]

JoeS. In the factories where I have worked

our plant safety officer checked the fire extinguishers and sent off for service the ones that were questionable. Who is the safety officer on your boat?

 

[Rick Webb]

Fire Extinguishers

Eight or ten years if I am not mistaken I'll look it up. There is a date stamped on the cylinder somwhere.