Damp and disgruntled

[daithi]

I have three rockets from the recent purchase of a 5.4 searider. The previous owner stored the rockets in a jiffy bag inside the console. The boat has been stored outside all winter. When I retrieved the rockets from the boat the jiffy bag was very wet/damp and disintegrated in my hand.

My question is .... will they work, are they worth keeping ?

Type - Rocket, hand fired illuminating Para L5A4 - Pains Wessex Ltd., item no. 50750

[Ian]

First thing is to check the expiry date on the flares.
They are best kept in a dry box and without seeing them it's impossible to say if they are ok or not. I suggest you take them to your local Coastguard and ask their opinion. Don't take them to a chandlery as they may just try to sell you some more.

[daithi]

No best before date on flare tube. No date of any type actually.

[Ian]

Either speak to who you bought them from or take to Coastguard for disposal. Buy new ones. For the cost vs benefit they are not worth risking. You want to know that the flares onboard, when you need them, will operate as they should.

[Hightower]

If in dought...........!! Go buy a new coastal pack (rockets, hand flares and smoke) and keep your old rockets just in case!

Just make sure that you can identify the in date flares/rockets from the old ones because you won't have much time in case on an emergency.

Andy