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Electric Signaling Devices
- Thread starter Kenneth K
- Start date
bsangs
E35-3 - New Jersey
We have the orange one, though we also still have flares. When a USCG rep inspected the boat this spring, I told him I also had flares, but he said no need with one of these, and marked me as compliant without having even produced the flares.
After years of buying new flares and “disposing” of the old ones every Fourth of July, I finally made the switch and bought the orange one. The last time I tried to do the right thing and properly dispose of expired flares, I followed West Marine’s advice and even called the police station ahead of time. But when I showed up, they treated me like I was walking in with live explosives. Thankfully, an officer happened to walk by at the right moment and took them off my hands.
I’m genuinely relieved to be done with flares—and fingers crossed I never have to put the strobe to the test either.
I’m genuinely relieved to be done with flares—and fingers crossed I never have to put the strobe to the test either.
gareth harris
Sustaining Member
These days every SAR pilot has NVGs so making a signal as bright as a flare is no longer necessary to attract the attention of an aircraft, in fact doing so can be dangerous if it is lit when the aircraft is close on a black night since it is dazzling. In a busier area a strobe light is readily identifiable from other lights.
A flare may still be better for attracting attention from a passing boat which is not necessarily on a rescue mission, for which a flare that is launched into the air is the best signal of all.
Gareth
Freyja E35 #241 1972
A flare may still be better for attracting attention from a passing boat which is not necessarily on a rescue mission, for which a flare that is launched into the air is the best signal of all.
Gareth
Freyja E35 #241 1972
bsangs
E35-3 - New Jersey
Agreed, which is why I'll continue to keep the flare gun on board, even with the electronic light. There's no way to launch that thing high into the air.
Jim Picerno
1989 38-200
My new boat had some out of date flares, which I need to dispose of, so I went ahead and purchased the ACR model mentioned above. It came with the daytime distress flag which I believe is still required by the CG. At some point I plan on getting a flare gun and parachute flares.