Flares damage lifejacket

[ShinyShoe]

This could have ended very badly...

Maritime and Coastguard Agency Press Office: COASTGUARD LOCATE YACHT ‘TRINA’ FOLLOWING MAYDAY

Never good to set off a flare and it burn your lifejacket...

[Nos4r2]

Ouch.
It does rather emphasise the importance of knowing how to set a flare off safely.

[m chappelow]

Like the story about the lifeboat crew many years ago who launched to a yacht without steering ,
when the lifeboat came alongside the lifeboat coxn remarks " didn't know you'd been on fire as well as loosing your rudder " No i hadn't ,, replies the yacht skipper with a blackened face i asked the wife to let off a smoke flare so you could see us better but she fired off a rocket upside down by mistake after rattling about inside the cabin it then set fire to the curtains & seats : )

[jyasaki]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Ouch.
It does rather emphasise the importance of knowing how to set a flare off safely.

Unfortunately, on this side of the pond, there is no way of "practicing" flare launch, and it is generally unlawful; to do so unless there is an emergency (in which case it ceases to be practice.)

In theory, white flares would be legal to try your hand at not starting a fire, but in practice, I've never seen them for sale.

jky

[Nos4r2]

Originally Posted by jyasaki

Unfortunately, on this side of the pond, there is no way of "practicing" flare launch, and it is generally unlawful; to do so unless there is an emergency (in which case it ceases to be practice.)

Same here.

[willk]

There is, however, nothing to prevent one from familiarising oneself with the instructions and firing mechanisms on most flares. "This way up" seems like an important point. Likewise, letting rip a para when the helo crew requested a smoke isn't going to be a crowd pleaser.

[tonymac]

Originally Posted by willk

There is, however, nothing to prevent one from familiarising oneself with the instructions and firing mechanisms on most flares. "This way up" seems like an important point. Likewise, letting rip a para when the helo crew requested a smoke isn't going to be a crowd pleaser.

[bliksem]

I guess it is time to realize to have still the "oldfashioned" and dangerous flares aboard but at the same time regulate the use of a SOLAS approved LED flares which are much safer while in use, simplier to use whatsoever and i also guess environmentally much better.....Anybody sees any disadvantages. And do not talk about the batteries, bcoz you need to keep it up-to-date just like the old flares (and i have had ones that do not ignite either (inBelgium we can sometimes practice on sea under police surveillance))

any ideas or suggestions on these LED flares ???

[willk]

Originally Posted by bliksem

bcoz you need to keep it up-to-date just like the old flares (and i have had ones that do not ignite either (inBelgium we can sometimes practice on sea under police surveillance))

If Sky Sports coverage is to be believed, tonymac practises with his at football matches...

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by willk

There is, however, nothing to prevent one from familiarising oneself with the instructions and firing mechanisms on most flares. "This way up" seems like an important point. Likewise, letting rip a para when the helo crew requested a smoke isn't going to be a crowd pleaser.

It's not called a 'chopper' for nothing you know

[ShinyShoe]

Well I almost felt sorry for the guy l last week. I could see he gets caught out. His electric fail and maybe he was plotting on paper but not enough to be sure he wasn't gonna crash into something so he calls for help. Mayday seemed a bit much but if he drowned everyone would have been saying why not hit the big red button sooner.

However it seems the guy must quite like the red button...
Lowestoft Lifeboat called out to help stranded trimaran yacht - News - Eastern Daily Press

Out maybe the new lifejacket and flares meant he couldn't afford fuel

[MustRib]

God loves a trier....