Flare expiration question

[tomxdana]

My flares say exp Nov 2010. Does that mean they are legal till the end of Oct and exp Nov1 or are they good till the end of Nov. I thought Nov 1 but my buddy said end of Nov.

Thanks for input,
Tom

 

[hostage]

Re: Flare question

Re: Flare question

Just go out and buy new ones, they aren't expensive and you are talking about 30 days, why risk it on the advise of anonymous person online. Chances are even if you are pulled over the LEO might let it slide, but why risk it. If you are winterizing your boat next week or something, just wait till next season .

Go get some new ones and keep the old ones. If you are in an emergency you will have double the chance of people noticing that you are there.

-Hostage

 

[BuzzStPoint]

Re: Flare expiration question

Bit off topic.

I bought a truck about 4 years ago. behind the seat was 3 flares. I forget the date, but long enough for the red paper to look oily. If I remember correctly they expired in 2000.

This past 4 of July, I was cleaning out the truck and seen the flare and thought.. Wonder if they still worked... Struck it with the cap and it fired right up.. Hmm, Now what... So here I am standing in the driveway staring at a flare.......


As for a legal standpoint. If it's close. Replace them. If you are winterizing soon. Replace them in spring.. Put a note on the dash of the boat.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Flare question

Re: Flare question

the answer depends on what the LEO ate for breakfast that day.

A guy down here got a ticket for expired flares only a couple days after the end of the expiration month. Don't count on being allowed to slide. You will need them anyway.

 

[tomxdana]

Re: Flare expiration question

I'll be pulling the boat before Dec and not sure if I'm going to have a boat next year. $26 can go to bait this year

 

[hostage]

Re: Flare expiration question

I spent 30mins trying to research this answer for you after my original post. I saw 2 people said at the end of the month, and one person who said at the beginning of the month. Those were just forums.

I also checked out USCG and Orion's websites and they didn't indicate a specific time frame. Though according to Orion's website:

Pyrotechnic signaling devices (including aerial flares and hand held signals) expire 42 months after the date of manufacture in accordance with the Coast Guard requirements. Typically, this means that you must replace your flares every three boating seasons. The Coast Guard regulations requires that each pyrotechnic signaling device must be stamped with the expiration date. Accordingly, check the expiration dates on your flares and signals as shown below. If they have expired or will expire during the boating season, you must replace them...it's the law

http://www.orionsignals.com/Marine/QandP/replacement.html

Since you are going out till December just go get it, while it is still fresh in your mind.

-Hostage

 

[dockwrecker]

Re: Flare expiration question

Well I've had the habit of buying new flares every 3 years for the past 30 years and now I have a pile of "old" flares. Found an old automotive flare in my dad's garage that had to be at least 30 years old and fired it up for the 4th of July. Worked fine. While I understand the USCG's intent to keep signal devices fresh and serviceable, it begins to be a lot of damn flares, especially the arials that legally you can't just light off for no reason to get rid of them. There may be one awesome holiday pinwheel in front of my house this year...engineering to follow...

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Flare expiration question

anyone know how many states actually need flares? None required here!

 

[Boatist]

Re: Flare expiration question

I do not know the answer to your question.
I do know out here in California if you have the required number of flares and they are expired for a short time then the Coast Guard gives you a warning but not a citation.
This is a time where a Friendly Positive attitude will help.
I would suggest if you boat all winter in waters that require flares then go ahead and get them.
If you?re about done for the season wait till next spring and search for fresh flares.
Some shops will still have flares for sell when they only have a few months left.
Try and get some that have close to the full 42 month left.

If you?re like me I have so many sets I have trouble storing them all.

Out here in California you must have them in the Pacific Ocean and I think also Lake Tahoe.

As for the question of what states need them, I think it more a question of what bodies of water need them.
In general large bodies of water with Coast Guard stations then you need them.
Oceans and large bodies of water like the great lakes you need them, small lakes and rivers they are not required.

 

[hostage]

Re: Flare expiration question

One of the guys I work with is former Coast Guard, who has given out his fair share of tickets during his time in the CG. I asked him today, since he was out yesterday and he said it "expires" at the end of the month like a car's inspection sticker.

-Hostage

 

[joed]

Re: Flare expiration question

Here in Ontario you only need them if your boat is over 19' 8". Smaller boats can carry a water tight flashlight as acceptable replacement.

 

[TunaCrazy]

Re: Flare expiration question

If in doubt, I would say replace them sooner than later. I realize flares MAY last a really long time, but they do not always last a long time. The boat my brother and I bought had about 100 aerial flares in the 'emergency' drawer, and most of them were expired. We decided to start firing some of them off for the hell of it.... one in maybe five actually lit. They all fired, but very few 'flared'. Some that were not lighting were only five years old! I would have to say sooner than later. Besides, what's 30 days early? And as was already stated, they are not expensive.

My $0.02

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Flare expiration question

Funny you should ask...

"On your mark. Get Set. Go!" Is your boat going to be ready as soon as the season starts? Summer is not far away and there are a number of things you can do in the next couple of months to prepare your boat for the season. One is checking your flares and, if they need replacing, there are some things you should know.

Do your flares need replacing or are you just going to get some new ones and add them to the existing flares on board? If so, you may want to think twice about it.​

Before you race out and just grab what?s on your marine store?s shelf, consider the following.​

What do you have?

Check what you?ve got aboard. How many? What type? What is the date of manufacture? Compare this with the requirements for your boat in your province or state. See the links at the end of this article​

How old is too old?

How old is too old? The Coast Guard and Marine Police consider flares expired after 4 years from the date of manufacture.​

Typically, this means that you must replace your flares every three boating seasons. The Coast Guard regulations require that each pyrotechnic signaling device must be stamped with the expiration date. If they have expired or will expire during the boating season, you must replace them...it's the law!​

The fine

The fine in Canada for expired flares or no flares aboard is $150.00. In the U.S., there is a penalty of up to $1,100 for failure to comply with equipment requirements.​

Don't spoil your summer. Do the check and replace when necessary. It is not only the law, it is your family?s potential rescue time you are risking. Do the right thing.
​

Don't buy old stock

Get your money?s worth when you buy "new" flares. Check the date of manufacture before you buy. For flares that are already a year old, they are only good for 75% of their intended life and therefore, worth only 75% of their retail value. And so on. Don?t buy old stock, without the appropriate pro-rated discount.
​

Expired Flares

Expired flares can be saved as back-up flares for about 10 years to expand signaling time in the event of an emergency. Then, they become unstable and should be disposed of.​

Old Flare Disposal



To dispose of expired marine distress signals, you can:

• Turn them over to the Police or Coast Guard​
• Donate expired flares to local Coast Guard Auxiliary or Power Squadron for use in their training classes.​
• Contact your local law enforcement or the fire protection agency for their advice on proper visual distress signal disposal.​

Never Do the following:

• NEVER jettison distress signals overboard.​
• NEVER activate marine flares in a non-emergency situation. You could be charged with the cost of an unnecessary rescue.​
• NEVER dispose of flares in household trash.​

For more details refer to your Safe Boating Guide or go to -

US Coast Guard - Office for Boating Safety

Transport Canada - Office for Boating Safety
Doug and Brenda Dawson

I'll add this to the safety forum.​

 

[tomxdana]

Re: Flare expiration question

One of the guys I work with is former Coast Guard, who has given out his fair share of tickets during his time in the CG. I asked him today, since he was out yesterday and he said it "expires" at the end of the month like a car's inspection sticker.

-Hostage

Thanks Hostage that was the answer I was hoping for. ( someone who knew a CG guy)

Thanks to everyone else for their input.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Flare expiration question

Although you have the answer, I just wanted to add:

If it has a specific date (November 1, 2010), then it's on midnight of that date.
If it has a partial date (Nov 2010), then it's midnight of the last day of the month.

 

[Outsider]

Re: Flare expiration question

Gracious, people, they're flares that expire 42 months after the month of manufacture. If they expire Nov 2010, they expire the last day of November. If you have flares that are expired, and they function, then you got even more for your money. If you have expired flares that failed to function, then you only got what you paid for, and you found out why they have an expiration. If you have an unexpired flare that failed to function, you got hosed. It happens ...