Distress flares

Flares are only useful when seen by someone who can give help or alert others. Because each flare burns only for a short time, you should try to maximise the chances of your flare being seen.

Making your signal as effective as possible

1. Be prepared

• Read and understand the firing instruction(s) for your flares before you need to use them. You will not be able to read the instructions in a distress situation at night, when emergencies often occur.
• Store your flares in a waterproof container, or in a dry area below deck. Make sure passengers and crew know where they are and how to use them.
• Check the expiry date of your flares regularly and be sure to replace them before they expire.

2. How to fire a flare

• Hold the flare to the leeward side of your boat before firing. Flares burn with extreme heat and can easily damage your boat or life raft.
• Fire only one flare at a time and keep the other flares until you need them. If you see a searching aircraft or boat, you can use your remaining flares to attract attention.
• If you have parachute flares, fire them downwind, not into the wind, and at a 15–20 degree angle off vertical.

Types of flare

There are three main types of flares, with different options available for each type:

• Orange smoke flares are only effective for daytime use
• Red handheld flares are effective during the day and night as they are very bright, burn for up to 60 seconds and are visible from aircraft
• Red parachute or rocket flares are capable of attracting attention in daylight (up to 10 miles) and at night (up to 40 miles). The flare is launched up to 300m and burns for 40–60 seconds as it descends slowly under a parachute.

Disposal of old flares

Expired flares must be disposed of appropriately.

Please leave the flares where they are if it is safe to do so and call

• Your local marine equipment supplier, or
• Police on 105 to discuss the best process for disposing of the flares.

DO NOT take the flares into your local police station.

Do not incinerate old flares or put them in the rubbish. If they ignite, they can cause fires, injury or burns.