Boaters operating on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, or any river that opens into one of those is required to carry Visual Distress Signals (VDS) that can be used during the day and night to show that you’re in need of help due to an emergency. Up until recently, the only VDS options were flares, but they have many concerns. First, they have to stay dry to work and won’t work if soaked in water, which is a likely scenario on a boat. Second, they expire 42 months after they are manufactured, so they have to be replaced frequently. Third, they can easily burn people or the boat because they are very hot and drip hot slag. Plus, the light only lasts up to 2 minutes. Lastly, they can’t be thrown in the regular household trash and there are few disposal locations around the country.

Electronic visual distress signals (eVDS) entered the market a few years ago and have revolutionized the VDS market. An E-Flare is another name for these devices that can float, never expire, are safe enough for a child to use without fear of being burned, and the light from an E-Flare lasts at least 2 hours. E-Flares operate on batteries that will need to be replaced every few years, but these batteries can be recycled. An E-Flare that is certified by the U.S. Coast Guard for meeting carriage requirements starts at $60-75 and more sophisticated versions cost more. Make the switch to an E-Flare today! Find more information on our website at https://www.boatingsafety.com/page/FlareEducation.

Did you enjoy this blog? To help us continue providing these boating safety tips, please consider a donation to the Sea Tow Foundation today to help us continue our efforts to educate boaters and keep them safe on the water. You can donate securely online at www.boatingsafety.com/donatetoday or by clicking on the DONATE tab at the top of the page.