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 Time to Check Those Flares...		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts
Initially Posted - 01/02/2004 :  13:02:31  Show Profile
I typically hang onto my out of date flares for awhile as 'extra backups'. (I think most folks probably do).

At any rate, I took 3 of my backup Skyblazers out on New Year's and touched them off out into the pasture. None of them worked. Dead as doornails.

They were 5 years old... and still in the original factory-sealed plastic bag and dry as a bone. (they are O-ring sealed anyway)

I think I'll test some of the newer ones (not yet out of date).
It would be distressing (pun) if they didn't work in an emergency.
I reckon I should probably try some of my 12 ga 'meteors' too.
WOTAM - '77 Catalina 25 SK/SR Sail Number 158
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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts
Response Posted - 01/02/2004 :  13:40:10  Show Profile  Visit Leon Sisson's Homepage
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">... backup Skyblazers out on New Year's and touched them off ...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote"></font id="quote">I've done the same on fireworks holidays with 12ga meteors well past 5 years old. We fired them from my dock out over open water. They worked about as well as expected for that bore. This also creates a good oportunity for your crew to practice using the pirotechnic emergency equipment with instruction, supervision, and supportive encouragement. Even those who don't get to pull the trigger can witness the survivability of the experience.

(I offered to let the pompous motoryacht owner next door fire the first shot from the 12ga pistol. The hemming, hawing, cringing, and flinching were rather entertaining in themselves!)

-- Leon Sisson
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triley
Captain

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USA
251 Posts
Response Posted - 01/02/2004 :  14:36:32  Show Profile
I have always tested the outdated flares at 4th of July. They have always worked in the past. So--- have only an outdated set (2 years out of date) right now and will get cracking on replacing them, you betcha, and seeing next 4th whether my present set actually work.

Tom
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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts
Response Posted - 01/02/2004 :  23:56:34  Show Profile  Visit John V.'s Homepage
both of my girls grace then 7 and Elizabeth then 12 fired the 12 gauge flare gun two years ago on july 4th. They each can fire the gun, can make a distress call, give GPS coordinates and can sail a recip course to pick up dad should he go overboard. I have tried to make sure my crew, no matter how young, knew what to do in an emergency. BTW I have never had an out of date flare fail to fire, nevertheless I always buy a new set at the begining of each season.
There is always a gun, hand flares and smoke (along with water signal mirror, flashlights and energy bars) in the abandon ship bag.


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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts
Response Posted - 01/04/2004 :  07:16:55  Show Profile  Visit Arlyn Stewart's Homepage
Bruce.... your right... mine expired this fall... they are on my list for this season.
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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts
Response Posted - 01/04/2004 :  14:01:36  Show Profile
For daytime use, I keep an orange international distress flag aboard my boat.

This flag complies with the USCG requirement for daytime signaling devices and the best things about it are that it is cheap, doesn't expire, won't malfunction, and even a landlubber can work it.
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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3323 Posts
Response Posted - 01/04/2004 :  19:59:03  Show Profile
I once had a powerboater actually RECOGNIZE that orange flag...you see, miracles do sometimes happen!
Derek
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Oscar
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2030 Posts
Response Posted - 01/05/2004 :  20:53:44  Show Profile  Visit Oscar's Homepage
Remind me not to get in a distress situation on the 4th of July.....

Oscar

Lady Kay 250 WB #618
Sunrise on the Neuse River...
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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.