was advised by DNR at Garris Landing this past weekend that flares are required in Bulls Bay and St. Helena sound…I know there has been some discussion on here about this…I have flares in the boat but they expired in Aug of this year…warning issued…better safe than sorry…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
I carry flares pretty much all the time freshwater or saltwater so I have them. You just really never know when they will come in handy.
the book says only if the boat is over 16’ for flares
thats the throw cushion. So flares on 100% of boats. didnt know that, thanks
At least keep this one in your back pocket…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/180.68
(d) Exemption for vessels on short runs. A vessel operating on short runs limited to approximately 30 minutes away from the dock is not required to carry distress flares and smoke signals under this section.
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejAt least keep this one in your back pocket…
http://www.law.cornell.edu/cfr/text/46/180.68
(d) Exemption for vessels on short runs. A vessel operating on short runs limited to approximately 30 minutes away from the dock is not required to carry distress flares and smoke signals under this section.
I’m with fishhound and carry them in case I need them, not because I’m required to do so…but this is good info if you had to possibly fight a charge…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
I can’t believe anyone would be against carrying flairs.
Because the mouth of Bulls Bay is more than 2 miles wide VDS is required
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quote:Who is against it? I got nailed once taking my boat in for an annual service. I had taken pretty much everything off of my boat, so I could clean out the console, etc. I made a quick trip around the bend headed to longshore marine via water. Didn't even cross my mind that I was going to be checked, but I was. They were prepared to write me a ticket for no flares until I pulled that one out of my back pocket.
Originally posted by cape_fishermanI can’t believe anyone would be against carrying flairs.
That being said, why is it the government business how I treat my personal safety? It doesn’t endanger anyone else if I don’t have flares on my boat. That should be a personal choice. And yes, I do have flares on my boat and I keep my expired flares on there for backups. But, still, the principle of it all… I don’t need a government to protect me from myself.
Another law written for the lowest common denominator.
Seems boats are going in the same direction as cars. Safety Safety Safety.
Problem is no matter how much life saving crap you have, if you or your passengers dont know how to use it or where it’s stored it’s useless.
Pretty soon boat prices will double because they have to have airbags and anti-lock brakes and fuel economy will drop because the govt. has added 800lbs of safety equipment to your boat.
On the note of keeping expired flares. Every year on the 4th of july I set the expired off in the front yard with the fireworks. Seems like after about 6 months passed the exp date they are all duds. I’ve been very suprised, who knew expiration dates really meant anything?
Mayhem
Pioneer 197
quote:
Seems like after about 6 months passed the exp date they are all duds. I've been very suprised, who knew expiration dates really meant anything?
You would be very surprised if you tested a lot of new ones too 
The inexpensive Walmart and other flares are about as reliable as Chinese fireworks. I’ve been to several and taught a couple of classes at SOLAS seminars. (Safety of life at sea). We shot off dozens of brand new, out of the box flares and there was about a 30% failure rate, and when they work, the burn time is so short and height so limited that unless someone is looking right at you they may miss it. A hand full of cheap bottle rockets may do more good. I carry SOLAS approved parachute flares, they cost 4 times as much, shoot much higher and have a much longer burn time than the cheap ones. Flares are like life jackets. If you really need one, you want a good one, not the $9.99 model 
The $9.95 will keep you from getting a ticket, but the $79.95 model will save your life.
quote:
That being said, why is it the government business how I treat my personal safety? It doesn't endanger anyone else if I don't have flares on my boat. That should be a personal choice. And yes, I do have flares on my boat and I keep my expired flares on there for backups. But, still, the principle of it all... I don't need a government to protect me from myself.
I agree with you in many ways there, but in this case (flares) I think it keeps the CG and anybody else who is trying to locate you in the dark from wasting valuable time and resources looking for you, which could endanger someone else while you are flicking your bic in a r
quote:Yes. I think that is a reasonable argument especially for offshore.
Originally posted by Cracker LarryI agree with you in many ways there, but in this case (flares) I think it keeps the CG and anybody else who is trying to locate you in the dark from wasting valuable time and resources looking for you, which could endanger someone else while you are flicking your bic in a rainstorm. Picture making a distress call in bad weather, the CG scrambles a helo and a cutter, their life is at risk while searching for you, not to mention a few $K an hour, so the faster they find you, the better and safer for both parties involved. That’s my take on it anyway. I don’t like being told to wear a helmet on a motorcycle either, or to wear a seat belt, but I do and would do it even if nobody told me I had to.
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejquote:Who is against it? I got nailed once taking my boat in for an annual service. I had taken pretty much everything off of my boat, so I could clean out the console, etc. I made a quick trip around the bend headed to longshore marine via water. Didn't even cross my mind that I was going to be checked, but I was. They were prepared to write me a ticket for no flares until I pulled that one out of my back pocket.
Originally posted by cape_fishermanI can’t believe anyone would be against carrying flairs.
That being said, why is it the government business how I treat my personal safety? It doesn’t endanger anyone else if I don’t have flares on my boat. That should be a personal choice. And yes, I do have flares on my boat and I keep my expired flares on there for backups. But, still, the principle of it all… I don’t need a government to protect me from myself.
I’m on my third ticket for not wearing a seat belt. $25 bucks a pop. I have found myself putting on my seat belt a little more often. Sucks when you can’t choose to be unsafe. I guess…
quote:I wear my seat belt anyway. $25 isn't enough deterrent for me anyway. It's just a little to Orwell's "1984" for me. Especially when you get the attitude and condescension during the writing of the ticket. Honestly, the seat belt law doesn't really factor into my life at all. I just think that the government oversteps it's bounds when it attempts to protect you from yourself.
Originally posted by Fred67I’m on my third ticket for not wearing a seat belt. $25 bucks a pop. I have found myself putting on my seat belt a little more often. Sucks when you can’t choose to be unsafe. I guess…
These “laws” are just another way for the government to generate cash. I wear my seatbelt because I do not want to see what my windshield tastes like. I hit a tree when I was in high school (I fell asleep) and my seatbelt saved my life. It caught my body and left me bruised everywhere it was strapped around me. I would have probably been ejected out of my truck if it were not for my seat belt. Trees are some tough sonsa*****es.
Key West 1720 115 HP Johnson Saltwater.
I agree with not being all the fond of government mandated safety but if it ends up saving your life its hard to gripe about it. A lot like the helmet argument on motorcycles.
quote:A government mandate to wear a condom for unmarried bachelors could save lives, but it's not something I want my government involved in!
Originally posted by fishhound1I agree with not being all the fond of government mandated safety but if it ends up saving your life its hard to gripe about it. A lot like the helmet argument on motorcycles.
quote:You forgot the seatbelts
Originally posted by friogattoAnother law written for the lowest common denominator.
Seems boats are going in the same direction as cars. Safety Safety Safety.
Problem is no matter how much life saving crap you have, if you or your passengers dont know how to use it or where it’s stored it’s useless.Pretty soon boat prices will double because they have to have airbags and anti-lock brakes and fuel economy will drop because the govt. has added 800lbs of safety equipment to your boat.
Double D.
quote:
Originally posted by skinneejquote:A government mandate to wear a condom for unmarried bachelors could save lives, but it's not something I want my government involved in!
Originally posted by fishhound1I agree with not being all the fond of government mandated safety but if it ends up saving your life its hard to gripe about it. A lot like the helmet argument on motorcycles.
Technically it would stop lives and save stupid in many cases.
Vinman
“Every saint has a past, every sinner a future”
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