disposal of out of date flares

Hugh Jardon · 30 September 2005, 16:38

i have checked my flares and they ran out in 1999, so they are only 6 years old!!!!!! i was just thinking how should I dispose of them? any ideas

cant put them in the bin

bonfire not a good idea

setting them off on bonfire night would be good but they may be dangerous?

any ideas?

chris

stan_deezy · 30 September 2005, 16:40

Hand them into any Coastguard station Chris.

DJL · 30 September 2005, 16:44

It's an offence to fire flares other than in an emergency, even on land.

You need to take then to your nearest Coastguard station.

Scary Des · 30 September 2005, 16:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by DJL

It's an offence to fire flares other than in an emergency, even on land.
.

Are you sure about this

The RNLI give flare demos and the MOD through a few around just for fun. Des

stan_deezy · 30 September 2005, 16:52

Distress flares Des. Remember that when the RNLI and MOD play with them they tend to have the decency to tell polis and coasties what they're doing...........well most of the time anyway

Chris: you're flares aren't six years old: they are six years OUT OF DATE and could be very unsafe. Dispose of them at the next opporchancity.

Richard B · 30 September 2005, 16:52

You can get a dispensation. The RNLI are, unsurprisingly, very familiar with the process!

Richard B · 30 September 2005, 16:53

Oh, and I believe that John Kennett like to collect out of date flares too.

DJL · 30 September 2005, 16:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Des

Are you sure about this

The RNLI give flare demos and the MOD through a few around just for fun. Des

So say the MCA

Scary Des · 30 September 2005, 16:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

You can get a dispensation.

Who from? Des

stan_deezy · 30 September 2005, 16:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Des

Who from? Des

From Whom, Des

ashbypower · 30 September 2005, 17:01

Hi Chris,
You could alway give them to a sea school who run Sea Survival courses for demo/experience.

Brian

PS before I get roasted we do not run this course.

Scary Des · 30 September 2005, 17:07

Quote:

Originally Posted by stan_deezy

From Whom, Des

Only if you are speaking Victorian

language moves on and is soon out of date L8RS Des

stan_deezy · 30 September 2005, 17:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Des

Only if you are speaking Victorian

language moves on and is soon out of date L8RS Des

One speaks this way to avoid misunderconfusing peeps

Chris: just check that the outside of the flares don't feel "sticky"

Richard B · 30 September 2005, 17:11

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard B

You can get a dispensation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scary Des

Who from? Des

Good question. I don't think that "they" give dispensation to any old Tom Dick or Harry (or Des

)
I think the Police, Coastguard and 999 centre need to know... ask your local RNLI station, I reckon thay would know. Timboli may know a little more because he spoke with the RNLI about running a flares demo evening last year.

codprawn · 30 September 2005, 17:11

The acutal law is a maritime one - I don't know if there is an equivelent land based law.

"Improperly making a distress signal contrary to Regulation 3 of the
Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collision)".

One bloke was prosecuted for firing one to dispose of an old flare - he asked the coastguard and he was told not to do it - but he did anyway. His defence was he wasn't aboard ship anyway(on the pontoon) but they said he was still master of the vessel....

I should imagine if you were on private land and made certain the signal wasn't visible(quarry in daylight) there would not be a lot they could do anyway.

Hugh Jardon · 30 September 2005, 17:15

well thanks for all the replies, would consider keeping them as backups as i know some others do but as they were manufactured in june 96 and out of date in 99 they are over 9 yrs old and could be unstable, i think i will hand them in when i am next near a coast guard type chappie, would a harbour master be a good substitute as might see one of them before a coastguard?

codprawn · 30 September 2005, 17:47

I think flares will last a hell of a lot longer than that - a lot will depend on storage. They use solid propellants which have almost indefinite shelf life. The MAIN reason they have a life is because if they fail lives could be lost.

As long as they look ok and there is no bulging of the tube it would be safe to keep them for a long time as a BACKUP!!!

laser · 30 September 2005, 17:53

i have heard somewhere that they are organised days that you can go and let the out of date ones off, on land somewhere!!

DJL · 30 September 2005, 18:32

The flares are 6 years past their expiry date - I think it’s probably time for them to retire.

There is a reason why they have expiry dates - after that time flares may not burn as brightly and they also tend to loose their colour. It’s also possible that older rockets my fire erratically with extended burn times, which could be a fire hazard.

I'd only keep them for another few seasons after they expire.

PeterR · 30 September 2005, 18:42

At the end of the day everyone,You are talking about cost of 50.quid it would be crazy to store or risk not been found by having duff flares spares or otherwise its a wise choice you have made to hand them in.