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06-19-2020, 07:42 PM
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#1
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Guru
City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,977
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SOS light versus flares
Having lighted dozens and dozens of the USCG required flares on recreational boats, most expired, some not, I became aware that if you want three of them that will work, yu had better have six. The dripping slag on those things is not compatible with anything inflatable. So I was happy to relieve myself of their presence on my boat when the SOS light became a legal alternate. Today I performed a routine test of my "Weems and Plath" SOS light only to find the brass spring at the bottom of the tube containing 3 Coppertop C batteries had its contact point with the brass strip running the tube's length corroded. The batteries were all reading 1.7 Volts with an expiration date far in the future, but all brass parts were black, not showing any lumpy corrosion except at the one cited connection between spring and strip. Weems and Plath website does not show this light as a product. Ordered a "Sirius" SOS light on Amazon, and it arrived with all parts identical to the "Weems and Plath" junk. I sprayed corrosion block into the bore of the battery compartment and put the batteries in, but this item will be frequently inspected for integrity and performance.
__________________
Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
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06-19-2020, 08:06 PM
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#2
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Guru
City: Southwest MI
Vessel Name: Sobelle
Vessel Model: C-Dory 22 Cruiser
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 1,229
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I got one as soon as they became available. Where I live getting real flares is a big PITA. Now I don't have to worry about getting caught with expired flares (although I still carry the ones I have).
The operation of the light gets checked regularly. Since my boat is not stored in a salty environment, the light still looks new (inside and out).
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06-19-2020, 08:50 PM
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#3
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Guru
City: Beverly Hills
Join Date: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,371
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Might not be USCG legal but the free app Flashlight O for your cell phone might be handy to have. It transmits SOS light signal and sound.
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06-19-2020, 10:40 PM
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#4
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Guru
City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,977
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ssobol
I got one as soon as they became available. Where I live getting real flares is a big PITA. Now I don't have to worry about getting caught with expired flares (although I still carry the ones I have).
The operation of the light gets checked regularly. Since my boat is not stored in a salty environment, the light still looks new (inside and out).
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My light was kept in a waterproof container and also looked like new, but the brass internal to the unit had turned black, probably from battery off gassing despite their voltage being well up. I am just saying that spraying some corrosion control juice in a new unit is probably called for considering the flimsy construction of the brass parts.
__________________
Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
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06-19-2020, 11:15 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
City: Bellingham, WA
Vessel Name: Excellent Adventure
Vessel Model: 1995 Jefferson Ker Shine 45
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 395
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The main personal issue I have with the lights (other than them not working) is that people don't know what they are seeing (if they can see them). Flares of any kind seem to be instantly recognizable by everyone, even non-boaters. In addition the lights are at water or boat level, thus not able to be seen from any distance. A flare can be seen for a greater distance. Even an expired flare that fires is more visible than a flashing light that most people will not recognize as flashing SOS. I will stick with my plastic ammo can full of expired flares as a back up to the current ones.
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06-20-2020, 02:35 AM
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#6
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Moderator Emeritus
City: Au Gres, MI
Vessel Name: Black Dog
Vessel Model: Formula 41PC
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 21,131
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Before we retired from the CG Auxiliary our boat was a facility. And the CG required that we dispose of any pyrotechnics that were over 5 years out of date. This was because they had found that they become unstable and some had injured people when they tried to use the really old pyrotechnics. I keep some expired ones on the boat but not over 5 years expired just in case. We also have ones that are current and have the electronic flare also.
__________________
Boat Nut:
If you are one there is no explanation necessary.
If you aren’t one, there is no explanation possible.
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06-20-2020, 04:40 AM
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#7
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Guru
City: Vermont
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 10,076
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I have found that batteries have gone to crap over the past several years. I have had countless devices ruined due to leaking batteries. Duracell's used to be very good, had a no-leak guarantee, and actually didn't leak. Eveready not so much. But recently I have had both brands leak out.
If Duracell still has a guarantee, I think it's time to start holding them to it. They used to say they would replace any equipment damaged by a leaking battery.
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MVTanglewood.com
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06-20-2020, 05:01 AM
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#8
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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Flares are not only for SOS , they can be used for vessel identification. HERE I AM!
The concept " And the CG required that we dispose of any pyrotechnics that were over 5 years out of date." might be valid with tiny 12Ga flares , but we have shot 1950 era parachute white shots and had very few that did not ignite.
The purpose of the flare is to be seen and the big parachute ones stay aloft for 30 seconds or more.
Offshore where the big boys have questionable deck watches , a 30 second white floating down is hard to miss.
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06-20-2020, 05:27 AM
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#9
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Guru
City: Fort Myers, FL... Summers in the Great Lakes
Vessel Name: Slow Hand
Vessel Model: Cherubini Independence 45
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 12,818
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There are now 2 manufacturers of this emergency light. I have one of each on different boats. IMO, they're about as relevant as a buggy whip for a car. It would be the absolute last thing I would choose to use in an emergency. Have numerous radios, phone, EPIRB, PLB, search light (that's 10 times brighter), and an air horn run off a scuba tank. I have the light to meet the USCG requirement.
Ted
__________________
Blog: mvslowhand.com
I'm tired of fast moves, I've got a slow groove, on my mind.....
I want to spend some time, Not come and go in a heated rush.....
"Slow Hand" by The Pointer Sisters
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06-20-2020, 05:53 AM
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#10
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Guru
City: Aventura FL
Vessel Name: Kinja
Vessel Model: American Tug 34 #116 2008
Join Date: Oct 2017
Posts: 10,595
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IMO, flares are better but, disposing of the outdated flares can be next to impossible. The fire department used to accept them but, not anymore.
__________________
Two days out the hospital after a week in the hospital because of a significant heart attack.
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06-20-2020, 07:57 AM
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#11
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Guru
City: Oconto, WI
Vessel Name: Best Alternative
Vessel Model: 36 Albin Aft Cabin
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 3,145
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I have one but have never tested it. It is a few years old, I suppose I should look into it.
I keep my old flares on the boat but some are breaking apart and the rest are probably non functional.
pete
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06-20-2020, 09:35 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
City: La Conner, WA
Vessel Name: Agnus Dei
Vessel Model: 36' Shin Shing
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 276
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I like the new electric (flare). Battery due diligence is required and I keep it in an orange waterproof box. I have enough expired flares to choke a horse and no way to get rid of them. (That's another thread post of it's own).
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GOD, Family, career
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06-20-2020, 09:36 AM
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#13
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Guru
City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,977
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The deficiencies of both methods are quite clear. Ya pays yer money, and ya takes yer chances. Neither is worth spit in daylight which is why I keep a smoke flare onboard rather than depend of that silly distress flag.
__________________
Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
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06-20-2020, 12:26 PM
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#14
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Guru
City: Inside Passage Summer/Columbia River Winter
Vessel Name: Alaskan Sea-Duction
Vessel Model: 1988 M/Y Camargue YachtFisher
Join Date: Jul 2012
Posts: 8,046
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Quote:
Originally Posted by wwestman
The main personal issue I have with the lights (other than them not working) is that people don't know what they are seeing (if they can see them). Flares of any kind seem to be instantly recognizable by everyone, even non-boaters. In addition the lights are at water or boat level, thus not able to be seen from any distance. A flare can be seen for a greater distance. Even an expired flare that fires is more visible than a flashing light that most people will not recognize as flashing SOS. I will stick with my plastic ammo can full of expired flares as a back up to the current ones.
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Good point. I read a report somewhere of a test of the electronic lights.
If the background is dark, you can see the light. If you have a lot of background light pollution, it is hard to distinguish between the electronic light and the background light.
I will stick with the flares.
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06-20-2020, 03:01 PM
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#15
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Guru
City: Tri Cities, WA
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 4,406
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I have one of the electronic flares and need to check it for corrosion and make sure it works. I also have probably 20-25 expired flares that I keep on board. I'll fire them off first in an emergency.
When I left the USAF Uncle Sam gave me two going away presents. One is a million candlepower parachute flare, the other a smoke grenade. I'm not sure he knew of the gifts but, what the heck, he's never asked for them back.
By way of a bit of information, if any of you want to get rid of your expired flares schedule a "Flare Demo Day". Advertise it and make it open to the general public. Get the blessing of the USCG (yes, there's a form for that), let your local emergency dispatch center know and ask to have an ambulance stand by.
I run one of those for our yacht club about every 4 years. We usually have about 50 people show up (not including club members) and fire off about 250 or so flares of all shapes and sizes. It gives people a chance to see how some of the guns and "pull cord" flares work.
__________________
Mike and Tina
1981 Boston Whaler 13'
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06-20-2020, 03:09 PM
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#16
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Guru
City: Ft Pierce
Vessel Name: Sold
Vessel Model: Was an Albin/PSN 40
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 28,119
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Flare day is extra good if you can coordinate the local fire department (all authorities like that for the flare only day too) and do a fire fighting demo and using up old fire extinguishers. Most people have never shot off one of those either.
2 birds with one demo day....
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06-20-2020, 03:30 PM
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#17
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Guru
City: Southport, FL near Panama City
Vessel Name: FROLIC
Vessel Model: Mainship 30 Pilot II since 2015. GB-42 1986-2015. Former Unlimited Tonnage Master
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 4,977
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Long time ago I was headed out the Panama City pass on a sunny day in my GB42 to watch some hydroplane race. The pass was extra busy that day with boats going every which way. I did not see it until I was nearly on top of it, but looking down from my flying bridge I saw an open powerboat maybe 12 feet long bobbing like mad in the wakes with several persons aboard one of whom was waving a burning flare madly about from the bow. That's why I carry orange SOLAS smoke for daylight. If the person had been waving the small SOS flag you get with the SOS light, I doubt he'd have gotten any more attention than the useless flare. Waving arms across over your head is always an attention getter. Firing a gun at even intervals is another authorized signal, but around here that would probably just generate mistaken return fire.
__________________
Rich Gano
FROLIC (2005 MainShip 30 Pilot II)
Panama City area
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06-20-2020, 04:08 PM
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#18
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Guru
City: Qualicum Beach, Vancouver Island
Vessel Name: Capricorn
Vessel Model: Mariner 30 - Sedan Cruiser 1969
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 2,019
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In Canada we still can't use the electronic flare "legally" so it can't be deemed to replace anything. All the types of flares have limited use, just ask the Titanic survivors. I think, in a panic and serious emergency conditions, DSC and Garmin and Spot communications is the most effective since its use implies something serious and your location is pin pointed.
I always assume the flares are to guide the helicopter in or the rescue boat in once they can be heard or seen. Firing off flares in the Broughtons probably aren't going to do you much good in many many locations.
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06-20-2020, 05:03 PM
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#19
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Guru
City: North Carolina for now
Join Date: Aug 2011
Posts: 6,348
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Rich's point about a daytime smoke flare is a good one
Guy was showing me his Ocean Signal version of one of these a few months ago. Nice looking unit. This thread inspired me to look it up. 5 year warranty, ditto the lithium battery.
https://oceansignal.com/products/edf1/#specifications
$122 at Defender, I think I will get one.
__________________
George
"There's the Right Way, the Wrong Way, and what some guy says he's gotten away with"
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06-21-2020, 05:55 AM
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#20
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Guru
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 22,553
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"IMO, flares are better but, disposing of the outdated flares can be next to impossible. The fire department used to accept them but, not anymore."
In Long Island Sound we simply anchor in front of the USCG station and inform them we will be having a flare drill for the next 30 min.
Then fire off the old units.
The trick is to TELL them , not ask them for "permission".
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