The differnce the right gear makes........

Crusher · 14 July 2013, 15:37

Might not have been such a happy ending without the right equipment...

What value you do you put on your own life??
Cost of a lie jacket £100??
Cost of handheld VHF £100?
Cost of a flare pack £100?

= great value for money!!!!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-23276694

ShinyShoe · 14 July 2013, 16:38

First rescue I've heard of in along time where a flare appeared to be the primary method of signalling distress. Will be interesting to see if that was the case.

The RYA last month reduced its recommendation to carry flares, instead saying modern tech was probably a better option and they way i read it saying flares were more useful for the last mile locating. I guess an EPIRB would have achieved the same but at £300 its maybe a tad more expensive.

jyasaki · 14 July 2013, 17:57

Quote:

The man sent a mayday at 10:40 BST as his fishing vessel was becoming submerged. He was swept in to the sea but set off a flare, and...

Sounds like flare may have been used to locate, but the Mayday got the troops moving.

jky

C2 RIBS · 14 July 2013, 18:13

I was out when that Mayday came over airwaves, send a chill down just thinking about it. Fisherman had a boat sinking fast and in conversation with Solent coastguard stated taking to water with lifejacket and handheld. was asked to take a flare to be located for air support they had scrambled. Think he was 12 miles south of IOW, scary moments and long wait for all OK

ShinyShoe · 14 July 2013, 18:17

So at this point how many of us would take the out of date one?

SimonCh · 14 July 2013, 19:29

Out of date flares?! literally just had a clear-out 5 mins ago, and checked the date, they vary from 5-10 years out of date.... time for a change methinks

oops!

Crusher · 14 July 2013, 22:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShinyShoe

So at this point how many of us would take the out of date one?

The point of my thread was to try and persuade everyone to check their kit and replace it if necessary. The search time saved, even if only a very few minutes could literally be the difference between life and death..... £100 .... Pritty cheap methinks!!

http://www.lifejackets.co.uk/product...tal-flare-pack