Flares

[TRevor Lawson]

Hi where would you recomend to go to buy flares (not trousres ) a lot of chandlers seem to have stopped stocking them ( new regs on storage ? )& postage costs are high due to special license for pyrotchnics .thanks for any advice.

[Doug Stormforce]

At the moment flares are worth having. It is only a matter of time before something better replaces them but that has not happened yet.

I would try a different shop

[IanH]

What are people's views on Odeo Flare? It looks interesting (but expensive) and not a replacement for all flares, but I guess until it gets SOLAS recognition its only to be considered a curiosity rather than an alternative.

[Poly]

Originally Posted by IanH

What are people's views on Odeo Flare? It looks interesting (but expensive) and not a replacement for all flares,

Its only a handheld flare, the holy grail must surely be fore something that does a job similar to a parachute? For not far off this money a PLB is not far off doing that, and potentially more effective. SPR on here sells a cheaper alternative but it doesn't have the all round effect - so you need to direct or wave if about.

but I guess until it gets SOLAS recognition its only to be considered a curiosity rather than an alternative.

really? you need SOLAS to rubber stamp it to say its OK? Unless you are a commercial skipper make up your own mind, VHF(Fixed and Handheld) + PLB + Mobile phone + Torch and possibly then only reason you would then need a flare is to guide the helo / lifeboat in for the last mile... On a small rib/sib with petrol close at hand and vulnerable tubes there are many reasons why a small handheld flare is unattractive.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Poly

... On a small rib/sib with petrol close at hand and vulnerable tubes there are many reasons why a small handheld flare is unattractive.

Steady ...not many smaller then mine..I went out with ;

PLB
DSC handheld
8 mini flares pack
1 orange smoke
1 red

Just to go to the isle of wight !

Overkill?....until I need help.....then they all get a turn in suitable order

I'd not hesitate to use any/all should the need arise.

[Poly]

Peter, I didn't say don't or overkill - but if I offered you an Odeo flare as a free replacement for the singe red would you take it? (Lasts longer, no risk of burning materials falling onto your tubes or fuel etc,) or would you see it as just a novelty?

[IanH]

What I mean by SOLAS recognition is that the laser 'flare' moves from being a product being marketed to something officially recognised as being fit for purpose. As far as I can see, there are no like for like tests of Odeo vs traditional flare in a number of scenarios so I have nothing to tell me that it really is fit for purpose as a genuine recognised alternative to a flare. As far as my RNLI is concerned, they recommend me carrying a selection of flares and not an Odeo flare and for the reasons that you mention, a flare in a small sib is less attractive than what it basically a harmless torch.

I'm still in the process of kitting out and I'm leaving off the purchase of flare or alternative till the last possible moment. Hence my interest in this alternative. Unfortunately, on another forum, its launch was not well received and one ends up wondering whether the forum members do indeed have valid points or the device is really as good as the makers say. Until it is independently tested (difficult I would imagine to carry out a comparison against a traditional flare without some form of official assistance), you have only got one set of flare fanboys word against another in the same way that there seem to be anchor fanboys and VHF fanboys, to name a few.

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Poly

Peter, I didn't say don't or overkill - but if I offered you an Odeo flare as a free replacement for the singe red would you take it? (Lasts longer, no risk of burning materials falling onto your tubes or fuel etc,) or would you see it as just a novelty?

I'd take it as well..... if I could fit a lifeboat in I'd have one

even on a small boat ...take everything ! Thats my thought ....

Like a small selection of kit on my person I take each trip attached...and that was just on Steves coded 9m 500hp Parker with 2 liferafts etc etc

[SPR]

Look at Greatland Rescue Lasers - long range, good battery life and proven tech., been on market for about 10 years, supplied to USA government and military and I have supplied to UK Government & Military.

If you want 3 mile range IMHO I would buy a LED strobe or button lights or a high powered flashlight - cost £12 for button light.

Rescue Flares & Lights - Scotland - UK - Fife - Glasgow - Dundee or Laser Flares - Rescue Laser - LED Safety Lights

RIBnetter get free carry pouch with purchase, feel free to give me a call if you want more info on either LED lights and Rescue Lasers.

I am UK and Ireland importer of the the Greatland Products, we have improved the aiming and added sight to product to improve aiming see photo.



Independent Report can be found:

http://www.sprmarine.co.uk/content/u...ic-test-report

regards

S.

[Copinsay]

I'd always have some flares with me - keep them in an emergency grab bag with the first aid kit. Nice to have something not dependant on electricity.

How about plan in a day at the seaside to buy some then (I see you are inland) - I guess inland firms are less likely to stock them ? I prefer to pick them up personally these days.

Agree about mail order - ordered them once from Marine Megastore (with extra £££ for "special postage") and they arrived like this - squashed and no warnings on the box etc. Courier company terminated their account when it found out - other folk may do it more responsibly.

Steve

[willk]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Like a small selection of kit on my person I take each trip attached...and that was just on Steves coded 9m 500hp Parker with 2 liferafts etc etc

The presence of the Lanson suggests that either you had the odd sucker proposing to his chosen bint on the Parker or yew fancyied yor chancis wiv de ovver burds - iff soe, mite i suggyst ay bettir broo yew cheepskayt

[Tim M]

Originally Posted by PeterM

I'd take it as well..... if I could fit a lifeboat in I'd have one

even on a small boat ...take everything ! Thats my thought ....

Like a small selection of kit on my person I take each trip attached...and that was just on Steves coded 9m 500hp Parker with 2 liferafts etc etc

I worked for Viking liferafts briefly a few years ago. A guy brought his raft in for service and asked us to put a couple of books and a pack of fags inside just in case!

[boristhebold]

Originally Posted by Tim M

I worked for Viking liferafts briefly a few years ago. A guy brought his raft in for service and asked us to put a couple of books and a pack of fags inside just in case!

Am I the only one who is wondering what the books were ? Please tell us the books you chose, you could have had a lot of fun with that like select two of the following;

Moby Dick
20 Thousand Leagues Under The Sea
The Titanic
50 Shades Of Grey (no I haven't read it)
Jaws

Any others ?

The Bible may have been a good choice or Chris Ryans survival guide

LOL

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by willk

The presence of the Lanson suggests that either you had the odd sucker proposing to his chosen bint on the Parker or yew fancyied yor chancis wiv de ovver burds - iff soe, mite i suggyst ay bettir broo yew cheepskayt

If only !!! Its maybe the one thing that Steve hasn't had on the boat yet ? And I'm never aksing anyone ever again - so no issues there !

It was a 'thanks' for sorting the Folly Jolly and we decided it was going to be our rough water gauge/ G meter for the return trip - if the cork came out was was rough !

[Pikey Dave]

My flares are out of date & I'm not intending to replace them.

[kerny]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

My flares are out of date & I'm not intending to replace them.

Spoken like a true Yorkshire man

As it happens I'm not intending to either

[PeterM]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

My flares are out of date & I'm not intending to replace them.

Not replace..?.are you going to just carry the out of date ones? Or not carry any?

[treerat]

Hello

I use the set from Decathalon, 3 Flares kit PLASTIMO - Safety equipment Boating - On sale at Decathlon.co.uk

Only ever really run inshore and carry a torch, strobe and VHF (plus a phone) to accompany.

[Pikey Dave]

Originally Posted by PeterM

Not replace..?.are you going to just carry the out of date ones? Or not carry any?

I won't be carrying any. Personally I feel they've had their day & are outmoded. No doubt I'll get some flak from some quarters.

[paddlers]

Originally Posted by Pikey Dave

I won't be carrying any. Personally I feel they've had their day & are outmoded. No doubt I'll get some flak from some quarters.

I'd be very surprised if you didn't on here !!