Signaling Devices

QuickMick · #1 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

I was taking inventory of my signaling devices, and wondered if there is anything i dont have that i should--or anything you guys stock that is not on the list.

orion flare gun, air horn, manual horn (stowmaster--its actually pretty loud), whistle, blinking beacon light, floating smoke canisters, assortment of hand flares, areial flares, emergency backup antenna--missing anything?

Tempest · #2 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

Hi Mick

I don't imagine you get a lot of fog there, but I could be wrong?
I carry one of those refillable air horns...you pump air into it with a small bicycle style hand pump. I will never run out of sound making capability.

When I find the right place to put one, I will add an electric horn hooked up to my radio which will sounds fog signals automatically.

Up here, In da north, I can go through a few of those disposable horns in a fog...they also make electric handhelds 9 v batterys ..

Other than that you look good to go. Are the flares within the expiration date?

DwayneSpeer · #3 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

It's amazing how quickly the regular flares go up and go out. If you've ever actually fired one you'll know what I mean. Someone really has to be looking at you to see it. If you really want to increase your chances of being seen then you need a few parachute flares. They stay in the air for quite a while. The are expensive however!

QuickMick · #4 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

yeah, the orion gun is kinda wimpy--but i fired 'em all off due to expiration, they were pretty old and thats what i attributed it to. those big orange jobbers in pic 2 are the parachutes... those babies sound like a patriot missile going off!! lol, just couldnt resist blasting one....

sailingdog · #5 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

You really want SOLAS-grade flares, rather than the wimpy USCG ones. They're far brighter and stay aloft much longer. At a Safety-at-Sea seminar I attended, they fired off 10 year-old SOLAS flares, and they were better than brand new USCG ones.

The ECOHorn is a great invention...which is the air-filled air horn that pumps up with a bicycle pump that Tempest is talking about. Far less expensive in the long run than using canned air for air horns and far better for the environment.

A signaling mirror isn't a bad idea either.

CalebD · #6 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

Mirror?

QuickMick · #7 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

ive got a sextant and a compass besides the vion... the folding kind with mirror, would those be adequate, or should i get another kind?

sailingdog · #8 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by CalebD

Mirror?

A signaling mirror can be used to summon help during the daytime. A good one looks a lot like this:

The hole in the center helps you to "aim" the beam.

sailingdog · #9 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by QuickMick

ive got a sextant and a compass besides the vion... the folding kind with mirror, would those be adequate, or should i get another kind?

Get a proper signaling mirror.

ffiill · #10 (**permalink**) 10-01-2010

Not meaning to be pedantic or stating the obvious but a portable floating waterproof handheld VHF with belt clip that you keep with you when on deck is not a bad idea!