Flares
There are three types of flare carried on board ships — red hand held, orange smoke and parachute. These are designed for day or night use and are used to attract attention of other boat or passing aircraft. Flares must be regularly inspected (expiry date three years from manufacture) and stowed in a readily accessible position in a watertight container away from heat.
Again it is vital that all crew know the correct safety precautions and firing procedures. Operating instructions might differ depending on the manufacturer. Instructions must be read and carefully followed.
Effective ranges of flares in conditions of good visibility are:
At night
- Parachute flare — 25 to 35 nautical miles.
- Hand flare — five to 10 nautical miles.
By day
- Orange smoke — very limited, up to 1.4 nautical miles, better from air.
- Red (hand and parachute) — may attract attention by day.
Only flares that are within the manufacturer's expiry date can be considered as part of the safety equipment complement for your boat.
You can dispose of flares that have passed the manufacturer's expiry date at these flare disposal locations.
There are severe penalties for misuse of flares and any offender may also face the costs of labour undertaken, risk incurred, or loss sustained in consequence of the signals.
http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/Safety/Flares.aspx
Also from 1 January 2012 all jet skis operating in Partially Smooth and Open water must carry flares and a V sheet
LP
Reply With Quote
