Is it a requirement to have flares on your boat? We have an 18ft cc
Yep coatal waters a requirement .
Thanks GO FISH. Ours are expired…guess we need to get new ones 
yea, when you go to purchase new ones double check the expiration date…get 'em fresh!
EDIT: if you ask about flares you might wanna also double check your noise maker, throwable and lights…stay within the law and safety…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
yep got to have them. mine are not expired but i noticed tonight that they are obviously wet. is that a violation? Bonzo are you talking about nav/anchor lights?
- I’d rather be a free man in my grave than living as a puppet or a slave.
quote:
Originally posted by jimmyaadamsyep got to have them. mine are not expired but i noticed tonight that they are obviously wet. is that a violation? Bonzo are you talking about nav/anchor lights?
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>not sure if wet flares are a violation, but they won’t do you much good if you have a problem!
and the lights I was just making a general statement…since he didn’t know flares were required in his 18’ boat he might not also realize he is required to have a throwable or working nav lights as well…The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
Bonzo…thanks for checking. We have all other safety equipement, our flares just expired and wasn’t sure about the rules for them. Thanks for looking out.
What is best way to dispose of old flares?
I have flares on my boat, BUT I have heard that they are only required when your a certain distance from shore or size of the boat or something like that? Is this true?
06 sea pro 1900sv
“Reel Estate”
06 14ft Alumnacraft
from SCDNR:
2010 - 2011 Boating Regulations
Get the Facts Before You Buy
In South Carolina, vessels may not be operated in excess of idle speed within 50 feet of an anchored vessel, wharf, pier, dock, or a person in the water. Vessels may not operate in excess of idle speed within 100 yards of the Atlantic coastline (Sec. 50-21-870).
Equipment
Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs) - All boats must have a U.S. Coast Guard approved wearable type PFD for each person on board or being towed. Each PFD must be in good condition, readily available and the proper size for the intended wearer. In addition, boats 16 feet in length or longer must carry a Type IV throwable device. In South Carolina, any person under twelve years of age must wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD when on board a class “A” (less than 16 ft. long) boat.
Fire Extinguisher - One Coast Guard approved hand-held portable fire extinguisher must be aboard each boat less than 26 ft. if the boat is carrying passengers for hire or if the construction permits the entrapment of flammable vapors or if it has a permanently installed gas tank, including gas tanks that use any type of fastener that would hamper the immediate removal of the tank from the boat. Additional extinguishers are required in boats larger than 26 ft. Contact SCDNR for complete regulations.
Navigation Lights must be on between official sunset and sunrise.
Flares are required for vessels in coastal waters.
Bells, Whistle - All boats less than 39.4 feet must carry an efficient sound producing device. Every vessel from 39.4 to 65.6 feet must carry a whistle and a bell.
Personal Watercraft
In South Carolina, each person on a personal watercraft must wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved Type I, II, III or V PFD.
A personal watercraft may not be operated between sunset and sunrise and must be equipped with a self-circling or lanyard-type engine cutoff switch.
When operating a personal watercraft, one may not operate in a manner so as to leave the wa
Soak old flares in a bucket of water for 24 hours, make sure they are submerged, dispose of in garbage.
This according to Mt. Pleasant, SC Fire Department and US Power Squadron HMIC from about a year ago.
quote:
Originally posted by eightnic8I have flares on my boat, BUT I have heard that they are only required when your a certain distance from shore or size of the boat or something like that? Is this true?
06 sea pro 1900sv
“Reel Estate”
06 14ft Alumnacraft
When I was stopped by the DNR I showed him my flares and was told that I didnt need them unless I was 1 mile from shore. I bought them because i thought I needed them. I guess it doesnt hurt to have flares just in case. I have a 16’ jon boat and im not brave enough to go a mile from shore.
thanks for disposal info
Whats the fine for not having flares on board?
fish today work tomorrow
I always wait for July 4th or the new year to shoot off my old flares. You will be surprised how weak they are, especially the ones with the pull chain. I had some that were only 1 month out and tried to shoot them off, half would not even fire. The shot gun shell type was more reliable, but the flare was pretty pathetic, I’ve had roman candles that were more visible. If you’re serious about flares, get the 30MM type. I set off some hand held flares that were old, they all worked, even worked after submerging them in a bucket of water, they kept on working. I set one off not realizing it was a smoke flare, my whole back yard was orange for about 30 min.It kept on puffin smoke even after I stuck it in the bucket of water. IMO the smoke flare is the best to use in a day light emergency, parachute flares are the best at night.
quote:
Originally posted by chickenhawk 26Whats the fine for not having flares on board?
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>probably more than the nicest, most well-equiped flare kit money can buy…
The Morris Island Lighthouse www.savethelight.org
have heard a few times that you can be ticketed for having “expired flares too”…anyone know if this is true. we buy new ones each year just to be sure they havent gotten wet or moist being stored in the boat…even in a case…was saving a pack of expired ones once as “back ups” (you know…you better "back up outa my fishing spot bonzo"lol…jk) …thinking extra was good…and was told theyd fine you for this anyone know. Regardless…we have them in our 16 and 21…
miss’n fish’n
212 SEAHUNT CC
Sea Squirt 16
most people keep some old ones for back ups- keep them in a seperate area from the new ones and when asked for flares, just show them the new ones.
Ronald Reagan warned thirty years ago, when the “Reagan Revolution” temporarily restored our nation’s course toward Liberty, “Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn’t pass it on to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children’s children what it was once like in the United States when men were free.”
FYI…
Earlier this year while trolling we were in an area with 1 other boat who knew us so we decided to see how good expired flares really are.9all expiored late last year and were dry)…the hand held smoke flares did best,6 out of 9 worked,the 12 gauge shells not so good,i think only 3 out of 12 worked,not very good odds when the Crap hits the fan,i hate they are so expensive but do yourself a favor check your dates and replaced the expired ones…
not sure how many people have actually fired off a flare but it was a good lesson on how they work,any thing with smoke was the best,left a nice smoke screen at water level for quite awhile,the 12 gauge not really impressed,this was all done in daylight so i am sure at night they would be better,since that little test i have been trying to find some parachute 12 gauge flares,as we did this test i tried to imagine some looking for you and the longer the flare/smoke stays around the better especially when you figure it probably won’t be calm like this day was.
This was informative.
Thanks all.