Essential Marine Flare Tips!!!

[@karllewis735]

I've got a small collection of expired flares that came with the used sailboat I bought last year. I'm trying to figure out how to safely, legally, dispose of them. You're 110% correct... the time for pyrotechnics has passed.

[@SailingTipsCa]

How to best dispose of expired flares seems to have quite a bit of local variation. In my area there is a liferaft service shop that accepts them. In other areas the local Power Squadrons have roaming drop-off locations on specific dates. Transport Canada says to contact the local police, fire, or coast guard for details.

[@-i-ouija-i-1595]

Just let it off

[@kuessebrama]

Just use them as firework. Or let them on your boat, just in case. I mean a few more are not bad, in case no one found you from your first trys you have some more to be extra safe. They will work even if they are expired, if you stored them correctly the will probably work years after they are expiered. The date is only for the manufacturer for legal reasons, because if they don't work they have a problem, so they just put a date on them and in case they don't work they can just say that they are expiered.

[@karllewis735]

@kuessebrama You’re not wrong, at all.

[@givewarachance7595]

​@kuessebrama I found some in my grandad boat when he passed. They were over 25 years old. Smoke, handheld flares, pop up flares, and flare gun cartridges. More than 2 dozen combined. Not a single dud in the bunch. If you store them properly, they'll be good looking after they expire. With that being said, they weren't as effective as new ones. The visual signal while sufficient, was obviously degraded compared to new ones.

[@lh9789]

Thank you for the demonstration. I'm in the middle of taking my first online course for the Washington State boater's exam, and it frustrated me that the course doesn't cover how to actually use any of these devices...so I jumped over to good ol' KZbin to find out. Yours is the 3rd video I watched on the subject, and the only one that mentioned the noise, the heat, and really showed the molten slag (1 briefly motioned it, just to say hold your arm out so it doesn't drip on you). But YIKES, that dripping into the boat?!! That's important to consider. I also had misgivings about polluting the ocean by tossing the spent flares in, but now I understand the hazards of trying to keep them onboard. Well done, Sir! I'm back to studying now, wish me luck!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - after testing all these pyrotechnic flares I can say that I’m now a much bigger fan of electronic flares!!!

[@johnfarmer87]

Interesting to see how each one performs. Good demo.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - it was an interesting experiment for me too!!!

[@RayRoss-g2z]

I too have "several" boxes of old solas flares after running a passenger ship for 30 years and I am in total agreement that is is well time to exit from the flare era! SkipRay, Kerry, Ireland.

[@SailingTipsCa]

In Canada you’re allowed to carry half the previous flare requirement if you have an electronic signalling device, which is a step in the right direction!

[@alistairbaird3711]

There is an electronic flare now available that uses super bright LED light source and doesn't set your boat alight. Pyrotechnics were once the only option but, like paper charts, will soon be consigned to landfill.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes I’m pretty excited about electronic flares!!!

[@kuessebrama]

I don't think so. Pyrotechnik flares are much brighter and they will still be a vilable obtion and you should still have them plus the once with the LED light.

[@alistairbaird3711]

I hope you never have cause to use them@@kuessebrama

[@bybeka1]

Thanks for all the nice videos, you are a wonderful explainer of things, I don't know why you don't have more subscribers, your videos are wonderful, thanks!

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks so much - appeasing the KZbin promotion algorithm is a constant learning process!!!

[@jodamo5953]

Thank you for your videos.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Thanks - glad you’re enjoying them!

[@rrgH20polo]

Really GREAT vid man. But I can not find any place to buy them Solas hand flares... Anyone know ? Thanks

[@SailingTipsCa]

Glad you liked it! I buy SOLAS flares from my local chandlery (Trotac Marine) where they are right beside the recreational flares. They are required for commercial vessels so you will need to find a chandlery that serves them, and not just the recreational market. Trotac serves both…

[@shadowmoon9093]

Maybe do them at night new time so we can actually see them

[@SailingTipsCa]

Good suggestion! I always struggle with night filming but there must be a way…

[@dmrsinclair]

You fired parachute flares into the woods??.. what if you burn the place down!...

[@SailingTipsCa]

It was VERY wet out at the time!

[@markswishereatsstuff2500]

How long did it take for the authorities to arrive after that SOLAS parachute launched? Every year a group in Annapolis shoots off flares and demonstrates to fellow boaters what to expect. They notify the Coast Guard of what they're doing. There is a life raft repacking company for commercial vessels here in Baltimore. You can go there and just ask for just expired SOLAS flares and such and they will just give them out for free, otherwise they have to dispose of them as HAZMAT for a fee.

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yes the local procedures vary but you're absolutely right about notifying the Coast Guard and anybody else who might have a tendency to respond or otherwise be concerned. They may not give you explicit permission per se, but will be pleased to not have to deploy resources!

[@pjccwest]

⚓

[@SailingTipsCa]

Yup!