Flares - Day and Night or Laser Flares?

[Poly]

You are presumably not required in the code to carry personal pinpoint flares anyway (which is effectively what this is). I'm guessing most opperators would want / need the parachutes, whites etc to demonstrate they are in line with industry best practice anyway - so you aren't really talking about replacement for a coded vessel - just augmentation (and probably only for the crew?)

[Anchorhandler]

Hi Guys
Very interesting reading however i do wonder how effective these laser devices would be in any sort of bad weather........
Speaking from experience (Coastguard ETV's) i would be unsure if you could acurately point a laser flare at a passing ship several miles away when your trying you best just to hold on?
The benefit of a conventional rocket flare is that it can be launched in a matter of seconds, will reach a suitable height to allow it to be seen for several miles even in the harshest of conditions and perhaps most importantly, will give full 360deg visibilty from the moment of launch right up till splashdown.
IMHO, these laser flares would be a good 'extra' to carry with you and could be quite usefull for guiding a ship into your position once spotted but i shall not be setting to sea without my rocket flares just yet...

[SPR]

Originally Posted by Anchorhandler

...IMHO, these laser flares would be a good 'extra' to carry with you and could be quite usefull for guiding a ship into your position once spotted but i shall not be setting to sea without my rocket flares just yet...

This is why I market them as a red pinpoint safe alternative, not a replacement for parachute flares.....a method to guide the rescuers to your location after alerting by other means, VHF or PLB...


S.

[Jimbo]

Well, we (Dad and I) have come to the conclusion that whilst the new alternatives seem to be a better alternative to Day and Night flares for personal use, they're a bit expensive to buy to confirm!

I think if someone else had bought one and could comment from personal use/testing I'd take the plunge on a laser one, but as it is we'll shelve it until we feel sufficiently informed to make a good decision!

Thanks all, especially SPR, for your input!

[boristhebold]

Have you considered a personal locater beacon ? The prices have come down alot.

[Jimbo]

Originally Posted by boristhebold

Have you considered a personal locater beacon ? The prices have come down alot.

Yes - but they don't really do the same job. The idea behind a personal flare (be it a traditional day and night or one of the laser ones) is that you can mark your position for nearby craft/the one you fell out of, rather than an MRCC potentially many miles away.

[Jimbo]

I'm back on to considering this topic now - am wondering if anyone on here has bought a laser flare and has anything to report?

[SPR]

Jimbo ,

You want one to try? I can arrange for this to happen...

A full Test Report & usage instrcutions can be downloades from [here]

If you want to be seen at under 3 miles, a LED Strobe will do a good job...If you wanr Long range signalling Greatland Rescue Laser is ideal.

You tube videos found on SPRmarine's Channel - YouTube along with other safety videos i found on the net.

I am the Main UK Importer & Distributor of Greatland Rescue Laser Flare & Light. I have supplied Units to Medway Coastguard & RNLI who are recommending them as additional safety kit to carry, ideal to be used with a VHF or PLB.

The offer of free case/pouch to RIB members with each order is still valid.

regards

Scott

Note: Admin/Moderators please delete this if you think i have over stepped mark as a non-trade member.

[Jimbo]

Well, following a nice chat with Scott, I have one of these on the way to me.

I shall report back with first-hand user experience; I'm doing a course next week with the Coastguard/RYA/RNLI and Ocean Safety, and will attempt to get their comments too.

Jimbo