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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4030 Posts
Response Posted - 03/31/2013 :  06:19:46  Show Profile
I don't use flares. Went with the nighttime electric SOS strobe years ago and a flag for the daytime. I do keep an old set of flares on board just in case but its easier to replace the batteries once a year than to deal with expiration dates. Having flaming flares or some launching artillery on board never thrilled me. Also they only last a few seconds verses 6hrs with the strobe. Then there is the problem of what to do with the old ones.

ACR SOS Signal Light 1842 Pair with distress S.O.S. inflatable flag to meet coastal day and night visual distress signal requirements and with safe alternative to pyrotechnics; no more handling, replacement and disposal of dangerous flares.
Product Dimensions: 7.6"H x 4.8"W x 8.3"D
Visible Range: 22 Miles
Battery Type: 4 "D" alkaline batteries
Operational Life: Manual
Waterproof: Water proof to 10 ft (3M)
Size:7.6 x 4.8 x 8.3 in (19 x 12 x 21 cm)
Weight:15.6 oz (442g)
Material:High impact polyethylene
Color:Hi-Viz Yellow
Operation:Manual
Certification:
Meets USCG night visual distress signal requirements for navigation on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas and connected waters up to a point where less than two miles across for recreational boats over 16ft, or smaller boats operating between sunset and sunrise; meets USCG night visual distress signal requirements for Commercial Fishing vessels operating in the area designated "coastal"
Batteries:Uses 4 "D" alkaline batteries; federal law requires batteries to be replaced annually
Operating Life:6 hours minimum with common "D" alkaline batteries
Carton Dimensions:5. x 6.7 x 9.1 in(14 x 17x 23 cm)






Features

Flashes S.O.S Morse Code when ON (..._ _ _ ...)
Protective stuff sack included
Pistol-style design, grip and sight for easy operation
Floats with lens above waterline
Uses 4 "D" alkaline batteries
DistresS.O.S lasts forever, just replace batteries annually
Complies with USCG requirements for night visual signal
Visible for over 22 miles with over 50,000 candela. Installs easily in new rafts or as a retro-fit
Water proof to 10 ft (3M)
Easy activate switch for one hand operation
Wrist lanyard for extra security
Screw off lens for easy battery replacement
Operational life: 6 hours minimum with common "D" alkaline batteries
Edited by - islander on 03/31/2013 06:41:12
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 03/31/2013 :  08:27:55  Show Profile
Yup--I'll probably go electronic one of these days... I don't like the prospect of messing around with flares in an emergency on (or in?) the water, and I have some deteriorated ones that I haven't gotten around to disposing of properly (at a state office 20 miles away). The one advantage I see to flares is they probably <i>look</i> more like an emergency signal than a flashing white light, and they're probably better attention-getters than a hand-held orange flag. But if you've never been on a boat with smoke coming out of the cabin, I can tell you there are bunch of things that need to be done all at once. Simplest is best. (No, it wasn't my boat, but it was <i>just like</i> my C-25, out on the Pacific, and we weren't cooking...)
Edited by - Stinkpotter on 03/31/2013 08:31:48
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5431 Posts
Response Posted - 03/31/2013 :  08:47:22  Show Profile
Disposal is a major issue. I'm sure most of us never throw them away. Keep em just in case…. At last year's USCGAux FlareUp, we checked 3 yo, 6 yo and 9 yo flares at a special event. Most (but not all) 3 yo flares fired up, and more than 1/2 of the oldest ones did not. They are apparently designed to go bad. What to do with them? Use them on the 4th of July I guess or turn them in during your local Haz Waste collection.
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zeil
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1328 Posts
Response Posted - 03/31/2013 :  19:11:45  Show Profile

Using a ACR SOS Signal Light 1842 Pair with distress S.O.S. inflatable flag to meet coastal day and night visual distress signal requirements and with safe alternative to pyrotechnics; no more handling, replacement and disposal of dangerous flares is an excellent idea...

Would love to buy a unit... trouble is to find a supplier either in the USA or Canada... any suggestions?
Edited by - zeil on 03/31/2013 19:12:46
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redviking
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1771 Posts
Response Posted - 03/31/2013 :  22:48:27  Show Profile
Ok, since the hijack is off and running, I'll throw in my two cents. I personally do not believe that we should eliminate handheld flares, nor flare guns, nor Solas rocket flares simply because we haven't found disposal methods. I am not convinced yet even though I own some electronic signaling devices.

All tools are good tools. Granted my offshore work biases my opinion.

Sten
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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts
Response Posted - 04/01/2013 :  04:01:51  Show Profile
I was kinda disgruntled when, in an effort to dispose of the flares, I attempted to burn them.. ( on the 4th of July ) and they would not light. I'd much rather use the strobe. In this day and age it should be an easy solution.. I guess we will hafta let the Fiji guys (bebe )know there is a market...
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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9089 Posts
Response Posted - 04/01/2013 :  09:51:28  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by redviking</i>
<br />Ok, since the hijack is off and running...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Not so much... If Bruce didn't have a "flare problem", the thread wouldn't have started... and now he has <i>another</i> flare problem... Then there are the <i>other</i> flare problems, like the ones I have that are splitting open, and that I can't get rid of. (Hazmat collections here won't take them.) And I've never fired an aerial, because it's illegal (especially in my area on the coast)... But since I expect to be boarded once a year, I need to be ready!
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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts
Response Posted - 04/01/2013 :  10:51:12  Show Profile
&lt;&lt; like the ones I have that are splitting open, &gt;&gt;

You need a burn barrel... with a lid I'd guess.




and the ability to hot foot it outta there...
Edited by - redeye on 04/01/2013 10:59:57
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4030 Posts
Response Posted - 04/01/2013 :  13:16:55  Show Profile
Better get one from redeye's link. Did a little search myself and found out that ACR doesn't make them anymore. Going..Going..Gone. They are very good quality, Ive had mine for @10yrs.
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Arlington
Navigator

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USA
196 Posts
Response Posted - 04/01/2013 :  19:50:15  Show Profile
Check with your local fire department. We always accepted old flares, when concerned citizens brought them in. Usually after the 4th or New Years they take all of the confiscated fireworks out to a remote area and burn them. Any old flares will burn just fine too.

BTW West Marine, has always given me a fair shake. If you look you can usually find a coupon and they have been quite reasonable with returns. A bonus is the staff is almost always helpful and knowledgeable.
Doug
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redeye
Master Marine Consultant

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3477 Posts
Response Posted - 04/08/2013 :  11:33:31  Show Profile
&lt;&lt; Better get one from redeye's link. &gt;&gt;

And as usual.. they took my order and then said they were out of stock.

I guess I will have to go to West Marine
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.