[C320-list] Expired Flare Kits

[Joe Geiger]

Having just acquired a 20 year old boat full of expired flares I had the same issue. I live in central MA and have been able to drop them off my local fire department. I called first to see if they would take them.  

I think it’s a good idea to set off a couple expired ones so you know what to expect when you do need to use them.  I found out they drip molten hot material and I burned a hole in my favorite pants :(  Now I know to keep them over the water and away from clothing, canvas, lines and sails when using them on the boat. 

--
Joe Geiger
“Vega” Hull #722
Greenwich Cove, RI




> On Jan 13, 2020, at 11:13 AM, Jon Vez <jonvez at comcast.net> wrote:
> 
> This is exactly the same scenario we experienced in MA. After 30 years of boating, backup flares become a problem. Our solution was to also buy an electronic flare and had friends bring our old flares to their farm in VT and light them! They all worked, even the very old ones. Very frustrating when trying to do the right thing!
> 
> Sent from my iPad
> 
>> On Jan 13, 2020, at 10:34 AM, Brian McLamb <bjcnmclamb at gmail.com> wrote:
>> 
>> Hello David.  I had this same issue a couple of years ago and here is my
>> saga.  Local fire department and US Coast Guard Aux had no rules to cover
>> such items, and would not accept them for disposal.  I continued to pursue
>> the matter all the way to the NC State Fire Marshall's Office and they
>> could find no state guidelines for disposal.  Universal answer that I
>> received was to soak the flare completely submerged in a large tub or
>> bucket for at least 24 hours,  The longer the better for complete
>> saturation.  Once this has been done you can throw them away in the normal
>> trash disposal.  I do not know where you are located so perhaps a different
>> state fire marshal could give you a different answer.  Also, you could save
>> them for back-ups to your new flares.  I replaced mine with the strobe
>> light approved by the US Coast Guard for distress signaling.  It is battery
>> operated and may be purchesed at several marine distributors including WM.
>> It holds up very well and is extremely bright.  It even blinks SOS
>> automatically on one of its settings.
>> 
>> Brian McLamb
>> s/v Serenity #1075
>> 
>> 
>> 
>>> On Mon, Jan 13, 2020 at 10:16 AM David Nolte <dcnolte at mac.com> wrote:
>>> 
>>> Hi!
>>> 
>>> Does anyone have any recommendations for getting rid of old Flare Kits?
>>> 
>>> Local Fire Department? Set them off on the 4th of July? Other?
>>> 
>>> Thanks!
>>> 
>>> David Nolte
>>> Beach House 0004
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>>> 
>