Posted By Gail Kulp,
Wednesday, September 13, 2023
The Sea Tow Foundation’s new Flare Education Toolkit is designed to provide boaters with the information they need to safely and properly use traditional flares as well as electronic flares (known as E-Flares). The toolkit also includes pre-made social media copy and email templates for industry leaders to easily spread flare knowledge to boaters.
The Sea Tow Foundation previously produced a series of short videos focused on flare safety and disposal, the use of flare guns and E-flares which can be found here. The toolkit also features key talking points, infographics and a Flare Disposal Locator to accompany each of the videos.
Since E-Flares are relatively new to the boating industry, many boaters may not be aware of them or know that they are a great alternative to traditional flares to meet the requirements for carrying Visual Distress Signals. The Sea Tow Foundation encourages companies, organizations and individuals within the boating industry to use this toolkit to help increase boaters’ E-Flare knowledge as well as proficiency with traditional flares.
The toolkit was produced using grant funds from the Sport Fish Restoration & Boating Trust Fund, administered by the U.S. Coast Guard.
When it comes to flares, many boaters may not be aware that now there are options. Hand held pyrotechnic flares are what you traditionally find on boats as they have been the only option until recently. Handheld flares expire 42 months after their manufacture date and should be stored in a cool dry place. To light a pyrotechnic hand-held flare, remove the plastic cap and hold it in one hand. Strike the end of the cap against the striker tip of the flare and keep it pointed away from you, the boat, and other equipment. Hand-held flares are both a day and night visual distress signals and burn for roughly 2 minutes. It is recommended to keep a pair of protective gloves in your flare kit to protect your hands from burning slag.
In the past few years, many manufacturers started offering Coast Guard certified electronic flares (or e-flares) as an alternative to the traditional pyrotechnic kind. An e-flare serves as your night time distress signal. Each e-flare will come with an orange distress flag that will be used as your day signal. E-flares are as easy to operate as a flashlight and do not expire. They only require that you check the batteries on a regular basis. When used, the e-flare will flash the S-O-S signal for at least 2 hours, much longer than a traditional flare. Even if you still choose to carry traditional flares, adding an e-flare to your boat's safety kit is a smart idea.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Tuesday, November 8, 2022
Updated: Tuesday, November 8, 2022
A flare gun is made out of plastic and is used to discharge aerial flare cartridges. To load, push the barrel away from the hammer, place a flare cartridge into the barrel, and close it. To fire the gun, push the button on the side, pull back the hammer, aim up to the sky, and pull the trigger. An aerial flare is able to be used as both a day and night visual distress signal. Be aware that the firing of an aerial flare is very loud and safety is critical. Always be cautious where you are pointing the flare gun and of any people around you. Once launched, the light from the flare is only visible for 5 seconds, usually on it's trajectory back down towards the water. As with all pyrotechnic flares, aerial flare cartridges expire 42 months from their manufacture date so be sure to check yours on a regular basis.
Posted By Kim Perry,
Wednesday, October 12, 2022
Updated: Wednesday, October 5, 2022
WHAT IS AN E-FLARE AND SHOULD I GET ONE?
An E-Flare is a non-pyrotechnic electronic visual distress signal with a very bright light that operates off of batteries. Multiple manufacturers produce Coast Guard certified E-Flares including ACR and Sirius Signal. An E-Flare serves as your nighttime distress signal. Each E-Flare will come with an orange distress flag that will be used as your day signal. E-Flares are easy to operate and only require that you check the batteries on a regular basis. When used, the E-Flare will flash the S-O-S signal for at least 2 hours, much longer than a traditional flare. Even if you still choose to carry traditional flares, adding an E-Flare to your boat's safety kit is a smart idea.
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