TOPIC:

I got into boat emergency/safety gear box to check things out a couple days ago. It is a blaze orange plastic ammo type container that is supposed to be water resistant or proof. I was disappointed to find out my Cree high powered led flashlight has suffered damage from leaky Rayovac batteries. Hopefully they will get me a new light.

I pulled my flare pistol from the box and I looked at the flares and noticed they expire this coming May. What do you guys do with these expired things and other pyro signal devises? I don't want to pitch them as I think they should be back up. Also where can you buy "fresh" signals that have been recently manufactured instead of being already a year or two old like you see in a lot of retail stores?

Don,

I store my old ones in a seperate container clearly marked old or out of date. I do keep them with on the boat. Who knows when your in a bad situation how many you might need. I keep them sperate and marked in case of a check by DNR or Coastgaurd.

Where to buy new? I usually do my checks to different places until I find brand new, and newly dated stuff. West marine and a fw others seem to keep up on those things.

Batteries I try to keep seperate for the box in a baggy along with my light and use them if needed but keep a seprated light for maorning boat chores before taking off early before first light.

Note I heard that West Marine in MC is closed (or closing). Not sure where the next closest one is at but thought I would pass along.

Thats true Ed, I belive the the one in M.City has closed with nearsest now I think in Chi Town. But, they do have a web page for ordering still. I'm sure there are others on line also that can carry the newest.

I wonder if anyone has gone right to the manufacturer to get these things? I would think then you would have a maximum amount of storage time. I am also wondering if they will or can degrade over time? I keep mine in my house when not in use and put them in the boat when I take it out. I don't like planned obsolescence as i think a new batch of anything could be a bad product and not be as useful as the product you replaced. Seems to me the time frame on these things are very short. If there is a history of failure to ignite in 2 or 3 years after manufacture I would think it easier to understand why you are forced to replace every couple of years. Safety is paramount I know, maybe I am off base on this one. But that being said,why doesn't the Coast Guard force all boaters to have signaling equipment on board and force inspections on the boat and engines themselves. All boats.

Don-
I think the date is just a crap shoot of when they replenish stock. Unfortunately we can't wait until May when the stock starts moving as the coho season is before and it's seems to be a coincidence they usually expire off season.

Hint - Check the clearance aisle in the big box stores during the winter. I picked up just picked up flares at miejer 75% off last month. I picked up a bilge pump for my Zodiac on the cheap too.

I have one more thought on the subject. It is the actual flare gun itself. I have not fired a flare with it and it does not even look as if it was tested at its factory. How do you know if these plastic guns will work? I have been told it is "illegal" to shoot signal flares in a non emergency situation. I would like to see it operate and what it feels like to actually pull the trigger feel if there is any recoil or report.

Hopefully these pistols would hold up under multiple firings if needed. The plastic composition does concern me somewhat.

Thoughts on flares. I did a column for Michigan Outdoor News several years ago about expired flares and learned some things.

It is illegal to have expired flares on your boat. Stupid rule. I'm not saying whether or not I'm always in compliance

Good idea, Ed to put them in a marked container. An "officer" (whomever it is that would check) would have to be a really picky dude to issue a violation for having expired flares and he would really be a mope to issue a citation if you kept them in a marked container. An even better idea is to not show him the old devises, just the new ones. Don't ask, don't tell.

You are supposed to dispose of them by taking them to a place that accepts hazardous waste.

Don't order them through the mail. The shipping costs are outrageous since they are hazardous.

I've always found new ones at Cabelas or Bass Pro. They sell enough volume, I guess.

Want to test them - my advice is to shoot them into the water when no one is looking - IN THE DAY TIME.

I read a test of old flares in a BoatUS publication. In general, the new ones were better than old ones but old ones do work. If I'm in trouble, I don't care if I'm saved by a new or old signal devise.

There are now battery powered USCG approved emergency flares available with LED light. The one I found www.siriussignal.com costs $112 including shipping, change the batteries and it lasts forever. Will save money over time and save your butt. What happens if no one sees your three shots that may burn only a 10 seconds each?

I agree with you BN on your "what happens if" statement 100 percent. It seems common sense to me that the more signals you have on board with you would up your chances of being seen. New or old would not make any difference to me or to any potential rescue vessel so long as the signals work. I will look into the electronic signal devise. It would be neater and I am sure it would cost twice as much if the signal emitted a type of sos radio beacon that could be tracked.

Capt. Mike,
this thread would be a good one to discuss what a charter captain is required to carry for safey. Not saying that we all need everything that you do but,it might be good to look at what all captains are required to carry for safety. We all are traveling longer distances and fishing earlier and later. Would hate to have to ditch and go in the water but, would like to know if I had to that I had the right safety equipment for day and night.