Flares

Flares must be carried in boats operating more than two nautical miles from shore.

In case of trouble, these may be your only means of indicating that assistance is required. They are also essential for showing your location to a search vessel.

Flares should always be stored in a waterproof container and, in speedboats, endeavour to store them where they don’t receive too much pounding in rough conditions. Always replace flares before the expiry date. The expired flares are to be handed in to the local police station for disposal. If you don’t know how to use them, make yourself familiar with their operation even though you can’t let one off just to see how it works.

NOTE: Flares can cause injury if misused. Look after them and they will serve you if needed.

Types of Flares

Parachute (Rocket Flare - Red)
Capable of reaching a height of 300m and can be seen for up to 40km at night and 15km by day.

Operation
1. Remove caps at each end and safety pin.
2. Firing level will drop down. Press firing lever against cylinder to fire.

Red Hand Flare
Can be seen up to 10km away.

Operation
1. Remove cap both ends - bottom cap is a striker. Hold flare at base and use striker to ignite flare at top end.
2. Once flare is ignited - hold away from you and as high as possible until finished.

Orange smoke Flare
Visible up to 4km away. Daytime use only.

Operation
1. Remove cap both ends - bottom cap is a striker. Hold flare at base and use striker to ignite flare at top end.
2. Once flare is ignited - hold away from you and as high as possible until finished.