Disposal of Time Expired Pyrotechnics

[SeaSkills]

The MCA have released some more information:


From 1 April 2010 the number of locations where yachtsmen can dispose of 'time-expired pyrotechnics' will reduce to just 18, and the collection and disposal contract has been awarded to a private company.
The MCA, with the assistance of the Department for
Transport, will continue to accept TEPs from the public; however the collection
and disposal service will no longer be undertaken by the Ministry of Defence
(MoD) with effect from the 31 March 2010 because of their operational
pressures.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has awarded a new
contract to undertake the collection and disposal of Time Expired Pyrotechnics
(TEPs) from its premises. The new contracted service will be phased in from
December 2009 with Ramora UK Ltd of Portsmouth. (www.ramorauk.com)
Following recent changes of legislation with regard to the
storage and transportation of explosives, MCA premises now require to be
brought into line with those changes. This will mean that the number of sites
which will be able to accept TEPs will be significantly reduced.
The Agency plan to achieve this by concentrating available
resources on 18 sites evenly spaced across the country. Analysis of the
quantities of TEPs deposited with the MCA indicate that up to 70 per cent of items find
their way to the vicinity of the 18 proposed sites which will accept TEPs.
The following sites have therefore been identified:

Maritime Rescue Co-ordination Centres at Shetland
Stornoway
Belfast
Liverpool
Holyhead
Milford
Falmouth
Brixham
Solent
Dover
Thames
Humber
Forth
Inverness Sector Base
North Norfolk Sector Base
Cruden Bay Coastguard Rescue Office
Girvan Coastguard Rescue Office
A location at Poole

Douglas MacDonald, Head of Environment and Emergency
Response Standards, said ‘These 18 locations, spaced evenly across the country
have been chosen because we believe that they will meet the majority of the
public demand and are reasonably accessible. Unfortunately not all sites are
manned 24 hours, but full details of locations, contact details and opening
times will be posted on our web site www.mcga.gov.uk as the new service is
rolled out. We are also asking the public not to take TEPS to police stations
as they have no storage facilities for these items.'

[Poly]

Ian - whilst I'm sure that some people won't be happy I think they had to come up with some sort of definitive solution. There's only 2 or 3 manufacturers - I don't understand why they aren't under more pressure to provide the solution.

However I'm glad I'm not based in the Cambletown - Oban - Kyle/Skye area - nearest drop off point? Not exactly convenient.

[SPR]

Polwart,

The list is the same list on the the current website, but yes its a burger but you will need to drive to Fife Ness to dispose of yours!

So still a trip to far!

http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-...rotechnics.htm

They just now making it very clear don't take to police stations!

S.

[SeaSkills]

Originally Posted by Polwart

However I'm glad I'm not based in the Cambletown - Oban - Kyle/Skye area - nearest drop off point? Not exactly convenient.

Yes indeed. Speaking for myself, as one who is fortunate enough to live near Oban, I'm faced with a three and a half hour drive to Girvan, or seven and a half to Stornoway. I'll probably go to Stornoway, as I work up there more often, but it will be a long drive instead of a simple flight.

My fear is that this may tempt some into firing off their old flares, or dumping them at sea

[jambo]

Ian thats the beaty of boating out of Tayvallich and living in Girvan! I knew the 3 1/2 hour journey would have some benefits apart from the beauty of tay.

J

[walruz]

Well I'd like to know what they expect us to do down here! Chuck them on a bonfire and injure someone or just leave them lying around till they become some mushy substance!

Knowing the people around here they will just be deep sixed.

Ian

[Hightower]

For those that live in remote areas can these Pyrotechnics be let off safely without alerting the authorities? ie underground or within some sort of sheilded metal bin etc? Then discarded in the normal way by throwing them in the bin?

[chewy]

Originally Posted by Hightower

For those that live in remote areas can these Pyrotechnics be let off safely without alerting the authorities? ie underground or within some sort of sheilded metal bin etc? Then discarded in the normal way by throwing them in the bin?

None of the below is a recommendation:

I've fired expired pyro's before and never had any problems.
I can't see what the problem is with firing them on bonfire night, you'd be suprised how many phone calls the CG gets regards fireworks been let off, granted flares aren't going to help the problem.
Obviously firing flares is dangerous in its self.

You may find that sailing clubs etc collect expired flares then take the lot to the nominated CG station. I'm not sure of the legalities of having X amount of flares but I know when we had a few expired ones and the bomb squad was down they wouldn't take them.

[SeaSkills]

Originally Posted by chewy

I've fired expired pyro's before and never had any problems.

All the major manufacturers council against this

Originally Posted by chewy

I can't see what the problem is with firing them on bonfire night, you'd be suprised how many phone calls the CG gets regards fireworks been let off, granted flares aren't going to help the problem.

Back to misuse of flares again. I think this subject has been pretty well covered in earlier threads so I'll limit myself to 2 quick reminders: 1) SOLAS V forbids using distress signals except in an emergency, and 2) unlike fireworks, flares are nolt designed to be cool by the time they fall to earth

Originally Posted by chewy

Obviously firing flares is dangerous in its self.

Exactly, so it's just not a good idea is it

Originally Posted by chewy

You may find that sailing clubs etc collect expired flares then take the lot to the nominated CG station. I'm not sure of the legalities of having X amount of flares but I know when we had a few expired ones and the bomb squad was down they wouldn't take them.

I think this is going to be increasingly difficult for clubs

[chewy]

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

All the major manufacturers council against this



Back to misuse of flares again. I think this subject has been pretty well covered in earlier threads so I'll limit myself to 2 quick reminders: 1) SOLAS V forbids using distress signals except in an emergency, and 2) unlike fireworks, flares are nolt designed to be cool by the time they fall to earth



Exactly, so it's just not a good idea is it



I think this is going to be increasingly difficult for clubs

Originally Posted by chewy

None of the below is a recommendation:

I said that so you didn't have to waste your time writing the above.

Next you'll be telling me you shouldn't give them to your local fire works company and let them "reuse" them....

[SeaSkills]

I think you've misunderstood my reply - I'm agreeing with you

[chewy]

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

I think you've misunderstood my reply - I'm agreeing with you

I see what you mean now, read it as if Polwart had posted it the first time.