Article by Capt. Steve Katz
Red Alert
Red alert, a popular phrase in society with a more defined meaning for boaters!
Pyrotechnic flares have been a requirement for many boats and ships since the Safety of Life At Sea international treaty (SOLAS) was created after the sinking of the Titanic. SOLAS sets minimum safety standards in the construction, equipment and operation of merchant ships and some of these regulations are the basis for USCG requirements for pleasure and charter boats in the USA.
Red pyrotechnic flares have been used in the maritime environment for over a century, in 1859, Martha Coston patented the Coston flare which was used extensively by the U.S. Navy during the Civil War and by the United States Life-Saving Service to signal to other ships and to shore. Marine Flares are made from a mixture of pyrotechnic materials such as: strontium nitrate- (provides the red color), potassium nitrate, or potassium perchlorate and mixed with a fuel such as charcoal, sulfur, sawdust, aluminum, magnesium, or a polymeric resin. Flares provide their own oxygen, allowing them to burn in most any environment, including underwater!
Why do flares make a good distress signal?
- Ignite and burn in almost any environment
- Create a very bright light
- Create heat
- Create smoke
- Stored properly, they last for years with no maintenance.
Flares are still one of the best safety devices even in today's “connected society” a flare sighting on the water will usually be noticed immediately and reported to the authorities or initiate an immediate response from fellow boaters. Search and rescue teams often use thermal cameras (FLIR), and they can “see” the heat signature from the flares’ flame and smoke. Of course, there are drawbacks to using a flare – such as burns to surroundings and people, toxic emissions, blinding light etc., though they often outweigh the consequences of the emergency.
While most boats are required to carry flares as part of their safety equipment, many boaters will never need to use their flares, since they are at the end of a long list of communication equipment that is used in advance of the flare, such as cellular telephone, VHF, Sat Phone, InReach, PLB and EPIRB. Though when all else fails, a flare sighting is recognized globally as a sign or distress and will often bring help quickly.
In the USA, Pyrotechnic flares fall under the USCG regulatory category of “visual distress signals”, that also include an orange flag and the modern Electric S-O-S distress lights.
Most boaters are familiar with their VHF radio, how to operate the radio and how far they can hear and how far away other boaters can hear them. When it comes to pyrotechnic flares, the same may not be true since most of us do not regularly display or search for a distress flare.
Types of flares (and pyrotechnic devices) considered a distress signal by the USCG:
Flares
- Red hand held flare, 500 Candela (measure of brightness)
- Signal pistol red parachute flare
- Hand held red parachute flare
- Red aerial pyrotechnic flare
- Hand red flare distress signal 15,000 candela (for SOLAS)
- Red parachute flare, 30,000 candelas (for SOLAS)
Smoke Signals
- Floating orange smoke signals - Hand orange smoke signal, 50 second
- Floating orange smoke signals, 15 minutes
- Floating orange smoke signal 3 minute (SOLAS)
- Floating smoke signal 15 Minute (SOLAS)
Note: the USCG “does not test materials or systems for approval but rather specifies the required test methods and minimum performance criteria for approval. Product testing must be performed by a Coast Guard Accepted or Recognized Independent Laboratory.”
When to use what type of Flare or Smoke signals? Alert or locate?
A locate signaling device should be used when resources are nearby, used to help guide them to your location when you know they are within a few miles of your location. Due to the curvature of the earth, the theoretical distance you can see a hand held flare is about three miles (if both people are standing at sea level). Both hand held flares and smoke signals are a great way to let rescue parties locate your vessel.
An alert signaling device is used to get the attention of somebody located many miles away that can aid or notify others, some of these alert devices like large parachute flares can be seen over 40 miles away!
The practical visual range of these flare and smoke products should give you some idea on when to use each type and when NOT to use each type. If you can see or have contact with a rescue vessel or aircraft, using a handheld flare or smoke signal is a great way to guide them to your exact position. You would not want to waste your hand-held flares when you know observers/rescue people are farther out than three miles. If you cannot see the rescue assets, then the use of an aerial flare would-be best, even the smallest aerial flare shoots up to an altitude of 300 feet, burns with a brightness up to 10,000 candela and burns for up to 6.5 seconds each.
For many boaters, the USCG only requires hand held flares, while this may meet the requirements, in our area, it is easy to be 3 miles away from other boaters or observers who may or may not see your distress signal. It would be a good idea to compliment your hand-held flares with any aerial pyrotechnic devices to alert others when you are far from observers.
Signal flares are still one of the best ways to signal to others that you are in distress. They are compact, budget friendly, last for years and need no maintenance. Be sure to check your safety kit for the proper type and quantity along with checking the expiration date.
Until next time...
Stay Grounded
