Disposal of Flares

[wookie]

I know that old chesnut,


This question is for the UK members (Initially)

Let me ask this of you boys and girls out there, If I could collect your IN DATE flares that have maybe a couple of weeks left in them and replace them with new at a competetive price who would be interested.
There would be a charge for collection, disposal & Administration of course
Please answer the Poll

[sailingdog]

Why would you want to have your "in-date" unexpired flares collected??? SOLAS grade flares are often good for many years after they're out-of-date... and having more flares aboard than the minimum is usually a wise idea.

[wookie]

Sorry did'nt make it clear, when your flares are about to run out of date, I can collect.
If you are found in French/Dutch water with out of date flares you will be fined on the spot even if you have additional in date flares with you.
Would you be happy launching an OOD Flare? I am ex RNLI and have launched flares on exercise, It is quite hairaising and they are in date.
How long do you think it will be before the UK Boarder agency start to fine UK cruisers for OOD flares like the French. next on the agenda will be a register of flares sold, so like the sorn tax system for cars you will have to prove that you no longer have a use for them and have disposed of them through a proper agent, or have replaced them accordingly.

[Boasun]

You can use your old ones for training on various Holidays. Showing and giving your crew the experience of how to handle a flare.
4th of July
Guy Flawkes day
New Years
Are a few of the many holidays that you can use.
Also if you training on a non-holiday let the Coast Guard know that you are firing off the old flares for training purposes and the lat/long that you are at. And remember fire safety. In other words be far away from other boats, parking lots, buildings and wooded/grassy areas.

[wookie]

Check your health/life cover with your insurance company let them know you are letting off OOD pyrotechnics that should save the paperwork. good luck

[rikhall]

Originally Posted by Boasun

You can use your old ones for training on various Holidays. Showing and giving your crew the experience of how to handle a flare. . . let the Coast Guard know that you are firing off the old flares for training purposes and the lat/long that you are at.

A caution - this is a pretty international group - I know there are a countries that prohibit the "practice firing" of any flares other than white flares.

If you fire red flare, and it is not an emergency, and the CG or other SARs groups responds, you would most likely be liable for a pretty hefty fine, as well as the costs of the response.

Rik

[Michael K]

I had collected quite a few OOD flares. I brought the oldest down to my local fire station (in the US) to dispose them. One fireman took about 3 or 4 minutes to get just one of these flares ignited. After that, he handed the rest back to me and said I should keep them in my car. Yes, this really happened.

[erps]

I use the expired fuses to start campfires.

[nereussailor]

We shoot them off on the 4th of July, with the 8 million other fireworks going off, how would anyone even know if it's a signal flare or a firework? The other option would be to shoot them into a burning barrel or fire pit, then throw the rest out. Why pay to have them taken away.

[klaristhomas123]

Ok!