Good bye to carrying fireworks on the boat… hallelujah!
https://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|135|2290132|2290134&id=7217851
Try these instead, I have had one for three years now. Very happy with it. https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?path=-1|135|2290132|2290134&id=6536672
Tim in STL
White O’morn NS26U #216
Harbor Point Yacht Club
West Alton, MO
I have one as well, the thinking was if say my grand kids who sail with us needed to set off a flare, well… good luck with the flame throwing kind, but this one they could handle easily.
That said the above model dose not meet Canadian Coast Guard requirements, but this one does and coverall all flare requirements.
For most of our sailing there is just Debbie any myself on board and one thing we have tried to do is have the best safety equipment on board. Over the years we have some tales to tell about the unexpected. But one thing about safety, when you need it, you better have it.
T
Good article in Practical Sailor, May 2021 on this topic: https://www.practical-sailor.com/safety-seamanship/distress/distress-flares-go-electric
– Bob
Me Gusta
Nonsuch 26U #233
Sirus Signal has a big announcement that the C1002 has been approved by Transport Canada
https://siriussignal.com/sirius-signals-c-1002-two-color-distress-light-receives-transport-canada-approval/
The Transport Canada policy requires that all manuals and operation instructions be available in both English and French. When I looked at the documentation that Sirius lists for the C1002 I did not find the French version. If a French version is not available the C1002 flare will not meet the requirements. I am hoping that it is my failing as a researcher that is the problem and not that Sirius has jumped the gun.
Here is a link to a Practical Boat Owner look at flares
https://www.pbo.co.uk/gear/led-laser-flares-tested-36341?_ga=2.222905627.1823105450.1639532056-1063312666.1587756600
Mark Powers
I’ve given up carrying combustible flares on board and carry the electric signal units now.
I also have a waterproof VHF radio along with two cabin mounted VHF units. I had a yikes moment testing out the handheld flares on the beach that convinced me that they were too dangerous to have on board and use. In addition to their limited shelf life that required replacement every few years.
https://biankablog.blogspot.com/2015/07/hot-fun-in-summer-time-emergency-flares.html
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
The Binnacle carries the C1002 and also states that it is Transport Canada approved.
https://ca.binnacle.com/Safety-Distress-Signals/c39_104/p18873/Sirius-Signal-C-1002-Two-Color-Distress-Light-Flag-&-Whistle/product_info.html
Paul M
NS30U #211, Sandpiper
Cowichan Bay, B.C.
It isn’t so much what is approved vs. what works. If you have the misfortune to be in an emergency signaling situation you need to have options. While I have the floating beacon, I also have SOLAS flares and an EPIRB. I don’t believe having a beacon flashing on the water will be visible in any sort of rough seas. SOLAS flares far out perform USCG approved flares. An EPIRB that is properly registered can out perform all of the others. It’s all about having insurance that you hope you never have to use.
David Darmstadter
Jade - NS 26U #198
Boothbay Harbor, ME
To me the main point about being approved simply means that you can escape the requirement to replace your flares at specified intervals.
Once that is covered you can at your choice carry whatever “extra” items you feel are necessary in your use conditions.
I did a bit of number crunching.
I will assume the Sirius electronic flare meets the requirements and is the only game in town.
Currently for La Reina if I carry a VHF radio (yes) or a cell phone (yes) I need 3 flares. Cost of 3 shotgun flares is $37.99 at Steveston Marine (Local Marine Store). I need to replace them every 4 years. Currently Steveston will accept expired flares if I buy the new ones from them.
If I go with the electronic flare the cost is $400 (price for Sirius provided by local wholesale company) plus one smoke flare every 4 years. The cost of a smoke flare at Steveston is $34.99 for a 1 minute flare or $66.00 for a 3 minute flare. The smoke flare will expire in 4 years and must be disposed of.
With the one minute smoke flare there is a cost saving of about $3 every 4 years over the 3 shotgun flares. With those savings in 533 years I will have recovered the cost of the electronic flare. The disposal problem for the smoke flares will still exist.
Electronic flares are safer to use (less chance of burning the boat or an innocent crew member) easier for an inexperienced crew to use, so better chance of saving the skipper in the water (assuming they want to) and run time is a minimum 2 hours but could be over 6 hours for electronic vs about 6 minutes for 3 shotgun flares. Tests conducted by magazines seem to be inconclusive as to whether electronic flares or pyrotechnic flares are easier to spot.
Shooting a laser light across the bow of a speed boat that comes too close does not have the same educational value as the pyrotechnic 12 gauge flare.
I suppose I could stop worrying about leaving anything for the nephews and nieces and simply carry both types of flares.
Mark Powers
I like the LED units for 3 reasons.
Simple to use by grand kids and others
Will not set the boat on fire
Last longer than the 30 second and 3 mile visibility of the flare gun shells. In day time they are useless and IMHO have no place on a boat.
Smoke is the real deal during daylight.
The Sirus units are rigged to hoist up the mast… and at fifty feet up that is 9 miles or 65 sq miles vs 6 sq miles or the flares. Flashing for 8 hours.
Parachute flares make a statement! 1000 feet and they dwell for ever!
We have an EPIRB and a DCS to call the great big yellow bird.
All things I hope all of you and we never need to use.
I agree with Thor. After my test on the beach seeing how easily the hand flares melted though the metal can it made me wonder what they would do if dropped on a fiberglass deck. I certainly would not want to hand one over to an inexperienced passenger or child. Since I mostly sail alone I figure I’ll be too busy in dealing with the emergency at hand to stop and fire flares or light and hold a hand held flare. Though hitting the button on an electronic flare unit, the emergency distress button on the VHF and AIS transponder would be better choices as I rush to deal with the emergency at hand. IMO
Mike
BIANKA
1986 30U
Long Island
biankablog.blogspot.com
I like the LED units for 3 reasons.
Simple to use by grand kids and others
Will not set the boat on fire
Last longer than the 30 second and 3 mile visibility of the flare gun shells. In day time they are useless and IMHO have no place on a boat.
Smoke is the real deal during daylight.
The Sirus units are rigged to hoist up the mast… and at fifty feet up that is 9 miles or 65 sq miles vs 6 sq miles or the flares. Flashing for 8 hours.
Parachute flares make a statement! 1000 feet and they dwell for ever!
We have an EPIRB and a DCS to call the great big yellow bird.
All things I hope all of you and we never need to use.