Safety check
- Thread starter Robski97
- Start date
My luck, I’d forget to take the batteries out at the end of the season, and put fresh ones in at the beginning of the next and my $80.00 light would go the way of the countless flashlights I ruined in the trunks of my cars over the years. Just when I needed it I’d find that the batteries got old, leaked, and ruined the light.
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Flares usually expire 42 months (3.5 years) after the date of manufacture. There's a good chance your batteries in an electronic flare will corrode in a shorter period of time if you are a saltwater boater. We're year round boaters in FL, so there is no removing and changing batteries for winter lay-up. We would need some other reminder to change them on a regular basis. The 60-hour run time is a great feature. It probably is very good advice to carry both the electronic and traditional flares.
With traditional flares, the advice for using up your old flares first is not a good idea. It can actually be a dangerous choice. When you are in an emergency situation (sinking, for example), you might have several mimutes, or you might have 15-20 seconds to get off an emergency radio message, and maybe only one flare shot in the air before you are neck deep in water. The the old flares will "probably' work, but the newer flares have a higher chance of working. When you might only have time for one flare shot attempt, trying to be frugal and "save" your newer flares is fool-hearty. There are exceptions, of course. If you are doing a club-sanctioned flare shoot to practice and dispose of old flares, then sure, go ahead and use the old ones. Or, if you're sitting in fair weather seas in a disabled (engine troubles, etc.), but an otherwise seaworthy boat, and you need to signal S&R, then maybe use your old flares, then. But, don't try to use them first in a real time-sensitive emergency when you might have very limited time to shoot your flares.
With traditional flares, the advice for using up your old flares first is not a good idea. It can actually be a dangerous choice. When you are in an emergency situation (sinking, for example), you might have several mimutes, or you might have 15-20 seconds to get off an emergency radio message, and maybe only one flare shot in the air before you are neck deep in water. The the old flares will "probably' work, but the newer flares have a higher chance of working. When you might only have time for one flare shot attempt, trying to be frugal and "save" your newer flares is fool-hearty. There are exceptions, of course. If you are doing a club-sanctioned flare shoot to practice and dispose of old flares, then sure, go ahead and use the old ones. Or, if you're sitting in fair weather seas in a disabled (engine troubles, etc.), but an otherwise seaworthy boat, and you need to signal S&R, then maybe use your old flares, then. But, don't try to use them first in a real time-sensitive emergency when you might have very limited time to shoot your flares.
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Keep in mind that boaters are required to have both day and night Visual Distress Signals - Three current flares approved as 'Day/Night' meet this requirement. The electronic SOS light only meets the NIGHT requirement. Luckily, it is usually sold with the approved orange distress flag, which meets the DAY signal requirement.
So, should you replace flares with the electronic light, don't forget the flag (which SHOULD be included with the light)!
So, should you replace flares with the electronic light, don't forget the flag (which SHOULD be included with the light)!
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Rob - it's a bit frustrating to hear your previous examinations weren't as thorough as this. As an Auxiliary vessel examiner, I must have gone to the same school as the deputy who did your boat!
BTW - in NYS, bell is required on vessels over 39 ft; also, a maritime 'whistle' is defined as a mechanical device capable of producing a blast of 2 or more seconds in duration. For those under 39 ft, the vessel may have a mechanical whistle, but the 'mechanical' requirement goes away; mechanical or not, vessels under 39 ft shall be provided with some other means of making an efficient sound signal. a hand-held whistle or hand-held air horn should meet this requirement.
In MA the bell is still required for boats over 26' under state regs..
"A sound-producing device is required on all state and federally controlled waters. It is essential during periods of reduced visibility or whenever a vessel operator needs to signal his or her intentions or position.
If on State Waters
Less than 26 feet long (includes PWCs) Mouth-, hand-, or power-operated whistle or horn, or some other means to make an efficient sound signal audible for at least one-half mile required
26 feet long or longer Whistle or horn, and a bell audible for at least one-half mile required
If on Federally Controlled Waters
Less than 65.6 feet long (includes PWCs) Whistle or horn audible for at least one-half mile required
65.6 feet long or longer Whistle or horn and a bell audible for at least one mile required "
Also in MA ( not in Fed regs.) is the requirement of all vessels powered by a motor of any kind to have a sufficient anchor and line .
There sure are a lot of dinks especially which are non-compliant in many ways but they are rarely checked.
"A sound-producing device is required on all state and federally controlled waters. It is essential during periods of reduced visibility or whenever a vessel operator needs to signal his or her intentions or position.
If on State Waters
Less than 26 feet long (includes PWCs) Mouth-, hand-, or power-operated whistle or horn, or some other means to make an efficient sound signal audible for at least one-half mile required
26 feet long or longer Whistle or horn, and a bell audible for at least one-half mile required
If on Federally Controlled Waters
Less than 65.6 feet long (includes PWCs) Whistle or horn audible for at least one-half mile required
65.6 feet long or longer Whistle or horn and a bell audible for at least one mile required "
Also in MA ( not in Fed regs.) is the requirement of all vessels powered by a motor of any kind to have a sufficient anchor and line .
There sure are a lot of dinks especially which are non-compliant in many ways but they are rarely checked.
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Removing the key from the switch is sufficient. You’re fine.
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Did this vendor happen to also sell flares? (Not a bad idea to carry a few also - but I, personally, would not spend the money for new unexpired ones if I had that light and flag.
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The things that ticks me off about flares is disposal. Talk to the CG Aux and they are over run with used flares. NO ONE wants to take them. Olin and all the others should provide disposal through their dealers. The entire thing is ridiculous. They want us to carry these things, in date and give no way to retire them. I have never seen a hazardous product like these flares with so poor a method of disposal. That is why I am out of the flare business. I carry the expired ones as back up, but I don't really care to buy new ones. I'll stick to the W&P unit.
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Want to get more pissed? Peel the plastic wrapper off one of those flares, tell us what you find.
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It will pass muster with a CG boarding team so long as you can access it and prove you have the current NavRules on the device. (Will not necessarily be compliant if it's "on the cloud") They may or may not ask to see it. They should - but it's not unheard of, when everything else is squared away, to not waste more of everyone's time than absolutely necessary on administrative type requirements. (Pro tip - know exactly where everything is. Safety gear readily accessible, paperwork in one spot, and PLEASE know where your placards are. Not all Boarding Officers carry spares in their clipboard.) 53' boat, an experienced boarding team can knock it out in 15-20 minutes without skipping anything. Done it in much less when it was a delivery crew that had everything in one spot when we got there.
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I ve been boarded 3 times over th years and it s always been quick. As NC said it can be easy if you have your stuff together, both litterally and figuratively...
I always keep a binder at the helm with all the paperwork incl documentation, registrations, epirb reg., insurance, garbage plan, licenses,etc.. flares are in ditch bag and easy to find, so are the PFDs. Then it's just a quick trip to the ER for placards, fire system and to the bow for overboard discharge.
I always keep a binder at the helm with all the paperwork incl documentation, registrations, epirb reg., insurance, garbage plan, licenses,etc.. flares are in ditch bag and easy to find, so are the PFDs. Then it's just a quick trip to the ER for placards, fire system and to the bow for overboard discharge.
Gene,
Bell not required. Differnt power squardon guys over the years. TOH bayconstable CG. NONE were on the mark as Riverhead Bay constable . Not saying good or bad. HE climbed into the ER. got down on his knees in the rain to check HULL ID . He said he saw the nav light was on but since it was out .. fail. I have no problem with it .
Andy , didnt ask for rule . Good thing . I dont have em .
Rob
Bell not required. Differnt power squardon guys over the years. TOH bayconstable CG. NONE were on the mark as Riverhead Bay constable . Not saying good or bad. HE climbed into the ER. got down on his knees in the rain to check HULL ID . He said he saw the nav light was on but since it was out .. fail. I have no problem with it .
Andy , didnt ask for rule . Good thing . I dont have em .
Rob
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I believe most of the laminated cards showings lights and signals satisfy the rule of the road requiremnents.
A bell is cheap... if it is a grey area in some jurisdiction just get one. Doesnt even have to kept installed.
A bell is cheap... if it is a grey area in some jurisdiction just get one. Doesnt even have to kept installed.
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Ha - once again, New York State contradicts itself. Each year, the State issues a "New York State Boater's Guide" booklet; this years booklet (1/18) clearly states on pg 26 that, "All vessels 12 meters (39 ft.) and greater in length are required to have a bell."
However, NYS Navigation Law (Sect 40) Part 1 - Equipment, shows a whistle requirement, but no bell requirement for any length. Which means a bell is required when Federal law kicks in - over 65 ft.
Thanks for making me look it up!!
However, NYS Navigation Law (Sect 40) Part 1 - Equipment, shows a whistle requirement, but no bell requirement for any length. Which means a bell is required when Federal law kicks in - over 65 ft.
Thanks for making me look it up!!
Ok cool will look it up ( rules )
Also regarding the Strobe light . The batteries have to be installed. If not then its a fail. ( I didn't have the batteries in but he let me install them )
LOL.. sorry for the work Gene. I ususally take officals word for it and this guy new his stuff ( old timer )
Rob
Also regarding the Strobe light . The batteries have to be installed. If not then its a fail. ( I didn't have the batteries in but he let me install them )
LOL.. sorry for the work Gene. I ususally take officals word for it and this guy new his stuff ( old timer )
Rob
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NYS Nav. Law Sec 40 sub9 states that vessels over 39 feet and over must carry a bell. Look it up again.