Flares must never be used after expiry date. Pyrotechnics must be treated as Hazardous and should be disposed of responsibly in accordance with regulations and local rules.
Yes - it keeps them dry and safe from accidental damage
As part of your safety briefing ensure your crew are familiar with how to find and operate your distress signals. It is the Captain's responsibility.
Only use in an emergency situation.
Point flares outboard, downwind and away from your body. Always follow the instructions.
Use red flares by day or night.
Use orange smoke in daylight. It is typically used to show wind direction for rescue helicopters.
Immediately seek medical advice.
All the pyrotechnic products supplied from Chemring Marine Ltd must be transported under the worldwide regulations for Class 1 Hazardous products by air, road, rail or sea.
If moving them from your boat or plane treat your flares with care and do not drop. If accidentally dropped, inspect for any damage
Do not store near sources of heat, or where children have access.
Do not expose to extremes of temperature, humidity and damp.
Do not drop. If accidentally dropped check flare for damage.
Never use normal mail to transport these products.
Never fire distress signals if not in an emergency situation as vital rescue services will be falsely alerted. You may put someone's life in danger trying to rescue you.
Do not use if damaged or dented, and do not dismantle.
Do not touch. Notify the Coast Guard, Fire or Police
Pyrotechnics must be treated as Hazardous and should be disposed of responsibly in accordance with national and local regulations.
The latest statement from the UK MCA as of 23.12.09
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency has contracted in a private firm to take over from the Ministry of Defence in dealing with time expired pyrotechnics (emergency flares) in the UK.
Coastguards hope this new regime will clarify the situation with regard to out of date flares owned by yachtsmen and the difficulties many have encountered trying to dispose of them legally.
A statement released by the MCA today states: The collection and disposal service will no longer be undertaken by the Ministry of Defence MoD) with effect from the 31 March 2010 because of their operational ressures.
The MCA has awarded a new contract to undertake the collection and disposal of Time Expired Pyrotechnics TEPs) from its premises. The new contracted service will be phased in from December 2009 with Ramora UK Ltd of Portsmouth. (www.ramorauk.com)
Following recent changes of legislation with regard to the storage and transportation of explosives, MCA premises now require to be brought into line with those changes. This will mean that the number of sites which will be able to accept TEPs will be significantly reduced.
The Agency plan to achieve this by concentrating available resources on 18 sites evenly spaced across the country. Analysis of the quantities of TEPs deposited with the MCA indicate that up to 70% of items find their way to the vicinity of the 18 proposed sites which will accept TEPs.
Click on this link for UK regulations https://mcanet.mcga.gov.uk/public/c4/solasv/m_notice/mgn/mgn287.pdf
http://www.mcga.gov.uk/c4mca/mcga07-home/emergencyresponse/mcga-searchandrescue/mcga-hmcgsar-sarsystem/pyrotechnics.htm
Old flares in Singapore http://www.whbrennan.com
PLEASE CHECK IF YOU HAVE ANY PAINS WESSEX WHITE COLLISION WARNING (MK7) HAND FLARES ITEM NO 52651. IF SO, DO NOT USE THEM.
In-date flares should be returned immediately to the place of purchase where the purchase price will be refunded.
If you are unable to return to the place of purchase, please take to your nearest chandler.
In the event you have an out-of-date Pains Wessex White Collision Warning (MK7) Hand
Flare Item No 52651, please call Pains Wessex on +44(0)1489 884130
Re: Testing the lights of both Comet and Pains Wesex Brands of Manoverboard Lifebuoy markers
1. We as the manufacturer design and manufacture these markers as 'fit and forget' and as such the lights do not need testing throughout their service life.
Every unit is 100% tested before leaving factory and the lithium batteries have a minimum 5 year service life.
(of course you cannot test the smoke element without destroying the unit anyway)
However, if you really want to test the lights you have to be very careful not to activate the smoke part.
1. PW MOB360
This unit has water - activated lights which are kept switched off while mounted in the bracket by a magnet.
To test the lights -
A/ Short-circuit the lights by placing a wire across the two brass water contacts in base of float.(usually, but not always successful)