Legislation about using distress flares

[Poly]

Originally Posted by chewy

They sink....

Is that an official recommendation?

If washed up on the beach they are a safety hazard for inquisitive children; become the CG's problem and therefore cost our tax payers money; and chucking any waste overboard - especially flares isn't very eco friendly...

[walruz]

Mine ran out in September but I believe they will be Ok for another couple of years. I have 2 parachutes 2 red hand helds and 2 orange smokes and I am always within sight of land so recon I will rtake my chances.

Ian

[chewy]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Is that an official recommendation?

If washed up on the beach they are a safety hazard for inquisitive children; become the CG's problem and therefore cost our tax payers money; and chucking any waste overboard - especially flares isn't very eco friendly...

I never recommended it. In what capacity would it be an official recommendation?

[Poly]

Originally Posted by chewy

In what capacity would it be an official recommendation?

Either an official "Chewy" recommendation or even as an RNLI helmsman... unlike you I didn't think it was unreasonable for Blackroady to seek advice from them.

Unfortunately you've probably planted the idea in a few people's heads now who had never previously considered dumping live explosives in the sea...

[willk]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Unfortunately you've probably planted the idea in a few people's heads now who had never previously considered dumping live explosives in the sea...

... Jaysus Bhoys that's an awful night out on the water. I could have been killed! And all to get rid of a few pyrotechnics. Next time I'm ignoring the RNLI and going to a Linfield match instead

[chewy]

Originally Posted by Polwart

Either an official "Chewy" recommendation or even as an RNLI helmsman... unlike you I didn't think it was unreasonable for Blackroady to seek advice from them.

Unfortunately you've probably planted the idea in a few people's heads now who had never previously considered dumping live explosives in the sea...

First of all I would like to thank you for promoting me to Helm, I will inform my station of your decision.

If you feel that masses of RIB users will now be throwing out of date flares into the sink please delete my "recommendation".

[SeaSkills]

This legislation applies to the use (and misuse) of distress signals:

The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2002, which came into force 1/7/2002, is the statutory instrument which brought into force in the UK the 1974 SOLAS Convention as amended - including Chapter V. MSN 1812 in 2007 amended some parts of the 2002 document, but not Regulation 35 which is the applicable one here. Most of the SOLAS convention only applies to large commercial ships, but parts of Chapter V apply to small, privately owned pleasure craft.

The regulations are summarised in a little booklet available from the MCA, or download from here http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/lrgtxt/solas.pdf.

The actual text of Reg 35 is below ...

MISUSE OF DISTRESS SIGNALS

Regulation 35

1. The use of an international distress signal, except for the purpose of indicating that a person or persons are in distress, and the use of any signal which may be confused with an international distress signal are prohibited

[Cookee]

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

This legislation applies to the use (and misuse) of distress signals:

The Merchant Shipping (Safety of Navigation) Regulations 2002, which came into force 1/7/2002, is the statutory instrument which brought into force in the UK the 1974 SOLAS Convention as amended - including Chapter V. MSN 1812 in 2007 amended some parts of the 2002 document, but not Regulation 35 which is the applicable one here. Most of the SOLAS convention only applies to large commercial ships, but parts of Chapter V apply to small, privately owned pleasure craft.

The regulations are summarised in a little booklet available from the MCA, or download from here http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/lrgtxt/solas.pdf.

The actual text of Reg 35 is below ...

MISUSE OF DISTRESS SIGNALS

Regulation 35

1. The use of an international distress signal, except for the purpose of indicating that a person or persons are in distress, and the use of any signal which may be confused with an international distress signal are prohibited

You seem to have missed the bit out about getting rid of them!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by chewy

First of all I would like to thank you for promoting me to Helm, I will inform my station of your decision..

maybe I have the wrong Chewy? http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you...Yorkshire/crew

[PeterM]

To clarify I emailed the RNLI about arranging a flare demo - alot of boat users near me that I know are keen to ' have a go' ........ its a shame there was no response.

I'd rather play safe & while I can see advantage & disadvantage of handing them in etc - I've paid good money so would like to get some benefit from them. - ie experience of setting them off.

Sounds like no-one really wants them anyway - so out comes the welding gloves etc and off we go. I cant see I can be getting involved in the merchant shipping act 20 miles inland !

Sorry if I misled anyone.

[Knot Yet]

Originally Posted by Polwart

maybe I have the wrong Chewy? http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you...Yorkshire/crew

Looks like it - I thought Chewy was otherwise known as Phill

[Zubenelgenubi]

SOLAS chapter V regulation 35 - misuse of distress signals. (applicable to SOLAS ships but chapter V can be extended to cover non SOLAS vessels & leisure craft under the guise of "Safety of Navigation"
Though it doesnt specifically mention "land" it is applicable to misuse at sea. Followed through it would be logical that distress signals should not be misused anywhere but would not prohibit legitimate use of distress signals anywhere.

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

This legislation applies to the use (and misuse) of distress signals:

...

1. The use of an international distress signal, except for the purpose of indicating that a person or persons are in distress, and the use of any signal which may be confused with an international distress signal are prohibited

If you set off a flare somewhere sensible, inland, where it is clearly not indicating distress, then it is demonstrably not a distress signal. Therefore it is not illegal.

Originally Posted by Polwart

maybe I have the wrong Chewy?

Go and sit in the corner. I expected better cyber stalking from you!

You'll need to buy a packet of Lifeboat Tea to find out what he looks like . . .

[lakelandterrier]

Another option for getting rid of out of date handhled flares(at least) could be local fireworks companies. I do some work for one of these, and red handheld flares are commonly used as part of inland displays, fired either by hand or electrically.

Not recomended for waterborne displays though!

[Poly]

Originally Posted by John Kennett

Go and sit in the corner. I expected better cyber stalking from you!

You'll need to buy a packet of Lifeboat Tea to find out what he looks like . . .

I'll try harder next time boss...
Is his picture on the packet or does it appear in the leaves at the bottom of the cup?

[willk]

Originally Posted by Polwart

I'll try harder next time boss...
Is his picture on the packet or does it appear in the leaves at the bottom of the cup?

I was buoyed by the thought that you guys at least had to read stuff before you stuck it in the bilges:

I thought this was Chewy? Non?
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=32915

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by willk

I was buoyed by the thought that you guys at least had to read stuff before you stuck it in the bilges

Good grief no, it's all automated. We wouldn't lower ourselves to actually read that stuff!

[SPR]

The official coastguard line in disposal of flares:

http://www.eesc.org.uk/content/rya-t...lares-tef.html

if you want a flare demo contact your local lifeboat sea safety officer he/she will arrange for one with you.

If your in Fife or Broughty Ferry Area or Oban Area or generally Scotland contact me I will will put you in touch with right people.

Just had group of divers down at sailing club on monday doing flare demo.

An orange smoke flare exploded in my hand during the demo.....i was not injured but could have been badly burnt if i had not had the leather gloves on. My fleece jacket was burnt!


S.

[chewy]

Originally Posted by Polwart

maybe I have the wrong Chewy? http://www.rnli.org.uk/rnli_near_you...Yorkshire/crew

Two Chewy's on the North East Coast by the looks of it!
I'll blame him if anyone throughs flares into the sea!

[chewy]

Originally Posted by willk

I was buoyed by the thought that you guys at least had to read stuff before you stuck it in the bilges:

I thought this was Chewy? Non?
http://rib.net/forum/showthread.php?t=32915

Thats me, least one stalker is after the right person!

Bit worried about Polwart now...