Distress signals are used to show that you need help and require immediate assistance. The signals are internationally recognised and must only be used if you are in distress. Use flares to get the attention of other boats or aircraft in the area if you need assistance. Two orange smoke and 2 red hand flares are needed as part of the safety equipment for these boats.
Your flares must be in date. Flares have a life span of 3 years and must be replaced before they expire. The expiry date is printed on the flare. The red and orange flares allow a distress signal to be seen during the day and at night-time. Effective ranges of these flares in conditions of good visibility are:. There are severe penalties for misuse of flares including—the cost of labour, risk incurred or loss sustained as a result of misusing flares.
Old flares become unstable and can be unreliable. Dispose of expired flares in a safe manner see below. Firing flares You're in an emergency and you need to attract attention. Hold hand-held flares over the downwind side of the boat with your arm fully outstretched. Flares burn with extreme heat and can very easily damage your boat, your life raft or people.
Point them away from yourself, anyone else and the superstructure of the boat. Flares are extremely bright and you should not look directly at the light as it will damage your eyesight.
Parachute flares should be fired downwind at ideally a 15 to 20 degree angle off vertical Never set flares off unless you are in distress or are attending a properly organised flare demonstration. Disposal of old flares Old flares should not be kept as spares, because the propellant degrades over time. Hand unwanted or expired flares into either your local police station, the Auckland Marine Rescue Centre or your marine retailer that collects expired flares like Burnsco.
Never leave them outside for someone to collect, or put them in the rubbish. Never incinerate or let off expired flares. They're not fireworks! Expired or very old flares should be treated like explosives, so handle old ones with care. The role of boatperson is a key one for a safe and enjoyable dive. Coast Guard. Road flares are designed to be stored in vehicles and used during roadside emergencies.
They usually do not have an expiration date. Marine flares are a completely different story than road flares. The U. Coast Guard requires marine flares to have an expiration date set at 42 months after their date of manufacture. Flares are a pyrotechnic device. You could be lost at sea just hoping to see an aircraft or another boat to signal to. This has got to be one of the most terrifying situations to be in.
Aerial flares are usually suspended in the air by parachutes so they can burn at altitude for as long as possible. This means you only get a couple of seconds of burn time instead of the full burn time. The worst possibility is that an expired flare could have tears, holes or other weaknesses in its outer packaging.
Certainly check the flare out before lighting it if you have time. The chemical composition of flares is specifically designed to make them burn bright and for a long time. One of the best ways to extend the life of your flares is by storing them properly.
Extreme heat, cold and exposure to moisture can cause flares to break down faster than normal. This is a little problematic since most places that flares are stored are hot, cold or wet.
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