Flares - Page 3

bedajim · 12 November 2007, 20:43

So what are the rules with regard to the firing of flares 60 miles from the sea

Biggles · 12 November 2007, 21:01

me I'm just waiting to see if Mollers says he has better flares than the Solenteers

Stuart M · 13 November 2007, 07:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

So what are the rules with regard to the firing of flares 60 miles from the sea

From the RNLI website "Flares are a simple way of letting others know you are in trouble and show where you are but remember it is illegal to let off a flare if you are not in distress. "

Don't think it matters where you are! - It would of course matter to the person who the red hot flare landed on.

Pablo · 13 November 2007, 08:51

I've found a great way of getting rid of your old flares. Take the car ferry to France with your RIB. When the customs ask you if you have any flares on board you say "YES, I certainly do. Here you go, have them". The customs people aren't very happy but it works

Bern Hanreck · 13 November 2007, 10:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart M

I'm amazed at two things:

1) Being stupid enough firing a distress flare when not in distress
2) Admitting to it!

Just hoped that the parachute flares didn't land on someone's thatched cottage!

Your "contribution"

a) Clearly shows that you have not read the thread through

b) Says more about your attitude than my " stupidity "

Neil Harvey · 13 November 2007, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

What I need from you guys is:

a. Who's interested

b. Location

c. Date

I'm interested, but will have to see if I can fit into the dates chosen as planning these things is too difficult for me.

jwalker · 13 November 2007, 11:22

I seem to remember that years ago, if you were walking in the hills and got yourself into a situation, it was in order to release a flair as a distress signal.

Did I dream this?

Carl · 13 November 2007, 11:26

walking and hills sounds like a nightmare to me

jwalker · 13 November 2007, 11:27

Very good.

Poly · 13 November 2007, 12:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwalker

I seem to remember that years ago, if you were walking in the hills and got yourself into a situation, it was in order to release a flair as a distress signal.

Did I dream this?

No JW you are correct flares are considered a distress signal on land and just as the CG and RNLI spend a not insignificant amount of time searching for the source of misused flares so do our mountain rescue teams. Of course it is also a distress signal that can be used on inshore waters too - so being miles from the sea is not really the issue...

Stuart M · 13 November 2007, 16:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

Your "contribution"

a) Clearly shows that you have not read the thread through

b) Says more about your attitude than my " stupidity "

My attitude is fairly laid back to be honest - unless a parachute flare landed on me

I personally (and I may be alone) think that firing a parachute flare on land when not in distress is stupid (we know it's illegal). You may not think it is and that's your view. I didn't say you had to agree with me, just airing my views and I'm sorry if you think my attitude is wrong because I don't agree with you.

As you started the thread with "I'm sure I'm going to get criticised for this , " it seems quite apt to be honest.

springtide66 · 13 November 2007, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

This is what the RNLI sent me today with regard the Flare demo:

Dear Mr Hightower,

Many thanks for your e-mail regarding use of flares. Without repeating your comments you have hit the nail on the head as to one of the primary reasons why we have set up a team of flare presenters around the UK to go to clubs and marinas offering flare demonstrations for this reason. We always say 'read it before you need it', but using flares other than their intended use is illegal so for the boat owner it poses an two safety issues, 1) Using the right flare in the emergency and 2) firing them correctly so as not to injure yourselves or crew.

Details of booking a flare demonstration can be found on our Sea Safety web pages www.rnli.org.uk/seasafety along with some other very useful information. For example, our FREE Complete Guide has video and animation of flares going off. This is also available to order on our web pages.

I hope you find this useful. If there is anything else, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards,
Tony

What I need from you guys is:

a. Who's interested

b. Location

c. Date

Yes please!! X 3 (people)

cyberstoker · 13 November 2007, 18:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roy Smith

Same here i did a yacht course and the guy did a flare firing course
including parachutes, but he did tell the coast guard
we found that all the ones that did not go off, it was down to the way it was
fired, when the guy showed you what to do and that you really had to hit the bottom of the flare.

While firing flares when not in distress is universally agreed to be illegal, plenty of examples such as the one above, or pix in yachting mags of someone hanging out of a liferaft holding a flare exist.

This begs the question of which specific part of which piece of legislation makes it illegal, and does it really also say "it's OK if the coasties say so"

Does anybody know?

Hugh Jardon · 13 November 2007, 18:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

What I'll do is to compile a list of interested parties and whan I think I have enough I will contact the RNLI again to arrange a demo.

The list so far:

Rickuk3
Hugh Jardon
Hightower

andy, would be great to attend and perhaps as we will have a gathering we could go down the pub for a meal and a pint afterwards so a mid late afternoon would be best for this....maybe?

cheers

Mollers · 13 November 2007, 18:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

So what are the rules with regard to the firing of flares 60 miles from the sea

Sign up for the demo and you'll find out.

Poly · 13 November 2007, 18:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by cyberstoker

While firing flares when not in distress is universally agreed to be illegal, plenty of examples such as the one above, or pix in yachting mags of someone hanging out of a liferaft holding a flare exist.

This begs the question of which specific part of which piece of legislation makes it illegal, and does it really also say "it's OK if the coasties say so"

Does anybody know?

At sea the following would apply:

Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996

Hightower · 13 November 2007, 19:05

The list so far:

Rickuk3
Hugh Jardon
Hightower
Nos4r2
Sixty
Neil Harvey
Springtide66 x3

Might have a venue, have to get back to a PM someone sent me.

Mollers · 13 November 2007, 19:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

The list so far:

Rickuk3
Hugh Jardon
Hightower
Nos4r2
Sixty
Neil Harvey
Springtide66 x3

Might have a venue, have to get back to a PM someone sent me.

Can I nominate Bedajim for this course as, apparently he's a bit of a liability with a packet of sparklers.

bedajim · 13 November 2007, 20:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mollers

Can I nominate Bedajim for this course as, apparently he's a bit of a liability with a packet of sparklers.

It wasn't my fault I'd been drinking and his fingers are healing nicely

Mollers · 13 November 2007, 20:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by bedajim

It wasn't my fault I'd been drinking and his fingers are healing nicely

I think you had a little too much Oxy on the gas-axe.