Are You Using Electric Flares? Are They Safe?

MonacoMike

MonacoMike

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2009
14,721
Indiana lakes and Lake Michigan
Boat Info
2000 Cruisers 3870
8.2 Mercs
Engines
85 Sea Ray Monaco 197
260hp Alpha 1
It is time to update the flares on my boats. Has anyone tried the electronic flares? Do you feel they are just as safe? Any particular brands you would recommend looking into?
 
They carry a USCG certification. I must assume they've been proven safe.

The only reason I haven't switched over is the size of them. It's far easier to store a few old school flares than the new LED kind. My emergency gear case is not big enough for those buggers...

I assume there will be smaller units someday. At that point I'll revisit.
 
Mike, got a link? Do they last longer than the traditional shells I have? I can just about make my own fireworks show with all of the ones I have replaced over the years.
 
I bought one by ACR this winter. It's the size of a regular flashlight.

I've been known to comment: "if we ever find ourselves in an emergency, and you decide the best way to help is to light pyrotechnics while standing on the boat, I'll push you and the damn flare into the water."
 
I carry the Orion version, (Weems & Plath, and now ACR have approved versions)
Technically they are approved only for Inland and Coastal, no offshore.
And the kit includes the orange flag ball and square for a day signal.

I got it for the "legal requirements" seems solid enough.
I keep all my old flares as well, just dont have to keep worrying about did I upgrade them in the last 3 years...
 
spikedaddy99 said:
Mike, got a link? Do they last longer than the traditional shells I have? I can just about make my own fireworks show with all of the ones I have replaced over the years.
Click to expand...

http://orionsignals.com/component/aishop/product/216.html

They run on either 2D or 2C cell batteries, they have no expiration, so one less thing to worry about, which also eliminates disposal of expired flares.

Best use I have found for expired Flares. I fill the fire pit with wood putting some kindling on the bottom and pour some out of date kitchen cooking oil‘s onto the wood to soak in.

When I am ready to light the fire I strike two flares and drop them into the bottom of the fire pit. Great use of expired flares and oil. LOL
 
So you aren't shooting that up into the air to attract from a further distance, and you still have to worry about replacing the batteries. Ugh. I'll keep my "gun". M
 
spikedaddy99 said:
So you aren't shooting that up into the air to attract from a further distance, and you still have to worry about replacing the batteries. Ugh. I'll keep my "gun". M
Click to expand...

I will keep my handheld Flares and my flare gun but now I don’t have to worry about expiration dates and I always have batteries on my boat.
 
Switched over last year. Haven't had to use them, but then again I've never had to use my flares in 40+ years of boating.

I switched because it is cheaper than replacing flares every 3 years. I still have 3 or 4 generations of flares on board, but the electronic will let me be compliant at a lower cost.

If I actually need help, my VHF with DSC, handheld with DSC, and PLB are more likely avenues.
 
Electronic Flares are not yet approved in Canada, however, if you have a VHF Radio then half the previously required number of flares are required.
How many electronic flares are required, just one?
 
BEH said:
Electronic Flares are not yet approved in Canada, however, if you have a VHF Radio then half the previously required number of flares are required.
How many electronic flares are required, just one?
Click to expand...

Only one flare and one flag is required.

In 2019 when I took our boat to Canada from the US I was concerned about the flare situation since I converted myself to the electronic flare. I was also surprised about how many flares are required in Canada

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but from my understanding If you are US Citizen in your boat that you bring into Canada you need to obey the US law regarding safety equipment not Canada Law.

By the way someone is making a killing off these floating flashlights!!
 
andy k said:
Only one flare and one flag is required.

In 2019 when I took our boat to Canada from the US I was concerned about the flare situation since I converted myself to the electronic flare. I was also surprised about how many flares are required in Canada

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but from my understanding If you are US Citizen in your boat that you bring into Canada you need to obey the US law regarding safety equipment not Canada Law.
That is my understanding.

By the way someone is making a killing off these floating flashlights!!
Click to expand...
 
andy k said:
Only one flare and one flag is required.

In 2019 when I took our boat to Canada from the US I was concerned about the flare situation since I converted myself to the electronic flare. I was also surprised about how many flares are required in Canada

Someone correct me if I am wrong, but from my understanding If you are US Citizen in your boat that you bring into Canada you need to obey the US law regarding safety equipment not Canada Law.

By the way someone is making a killing off these floating flashlights!!
Click to expand...

Within the consumers electronics industry it is not uncommon that the cost to obtain and maintain regulatory compliance vastly exceeds the cost to actually manufacture the product at low volumes. What we're paying for here is the USCG marking (with still healthy margins I'd hope :))...not the plastic wrapped around an LED strobe.
 
When are flares required?

Evidently not required on my inland lake in WV.
 
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