Flares

[sir-vivor]

Thought I better check my flares and extinguisher and seen my flares are dated 2014 , as per coast guard chat on the vhf, she said expired , only get 4 years. So I look at regs and is this correct , for my 21' striper only need 3 (got gun need to replace cartridge type) I only need 3 because I have a VHF and or CELL phone on board

 

[Foxsea]

You need 3 flares (not smoke) if your vessel is 6 meters or under and 6 if it is 6 to 9 meters. I believe having a VHF or cell phone doesn't change the requirements. You are over 6 meters so 6 are required by my reckoning.

 

[sir-vivor]

I'm with ya then I read this ?? Dont understand the number of smoke signal crap ???? But mine are Type B
Also , what I dont understand anyway what's the difference in your boat size , more boat, more flares because they think you can afford it ???

 

[sir-vivor]

This is the response I got from DFO, Confused , Doesnt the DFO do the inspections ? If so, youd think they would need to know what's required ?

 

[Chasin' Dreams]

It is TC jurisdiction not DFO.

https://www2.tc.gc.ca/en/services/marine/documents/tp-511e.pdf

 

[sir-vivor]

It is TC jurisdiction not DFO.

https://www2.tc.gc.ca/en/services/marine/documents/tp-511e.pdf

View attachment 54812

Ya it is TC , no disputing that, but DFO enforces so youd think they know. It's like I dont need to contact a Crown Prosecutor to discuss a criminal offense , just call a police detachment. Your post is same as mine , but u didnt post the NOTE 2 ,bet ya it says something about VHFs and Cells and 50% less. You wouldnt be able to post would ya

 

[Chasin' Dreams]

Ya it is TC , no disputing that, but DFO enforces so youd think they know. It's like I dont need to contact a Crown Prosecutor to discuss a criminal offense , just call a police detachment. Your post is same as mine , but u didnt post the NOTE 2 ,bet ya it says something about VHFs and Cells and 50% less. You wouldnt be able to post would ya

Note 2:

 

[sir-vivor]

Yup the same ....3

 

[Foxsea]

I look at these regulations as minimum requirements. In a dire emergency, wet cell phones and swamped batteries are no help. Flares in your ditch bag could make the difference and 6 are not that expensive.

 

[sir-vivor]

I look at these regulations as minimum requirements. In a dire emergency, wet cell phones and swamped batteries are no help. Flares in your ditch bag could make the difference and 6 are not that expensive.

I agree, I have 6 new ones ,plus another 10 they say are expired (2014 & 2010 vintage) but my point was to find out what was required in case they get on my boat that's all. I'm 100% with your comments , Thank You !

 

[sir-vivor]

Finally , with a lot of run around (which is evident in my last email to Kim at Transport Canada lol ) it is 3 flares for a 21 ft Striper Vessel
Here is my email to Kim at Teansport Canada and the email I received in response from Kim at Transport Canada
FYI
In case any of u get told you need 6 even though it's better than 3 (but heck 9 is even better lol) the min requirement is 3 (per Transport Canada)
and no older than 4 years (per Canadian Coast Guard), with the exact same specifications as noted

 

[Gear'n'beer!]

I wonder what the percentage of boats that are in distress ever even fire their flares? I bet it's pretty low.

 

[Chasin' Dreams]

I wonder what the percentage of boats that are in distress ever even fire their flares? I bet it's pretty low.

Sad to say that 100% of the friends, friends of friends boats I've been out in the past 30 years have had ZERO flares on board and barely any safety equipment at all. And yup I'm talking about experienced fishermen and even some friends that are guides that don't carry the items they should legally be carrying. No, once I see that I don't go out with them again. I've had to cancel a trip in the past year as well cause a friend said he wasn't going to get the boat equipped properly in time for a trip we were supposed to go on on his boat. Scary for them and for the people they are taking with them. I'm sure you all know some folks doing the same. Yet every single year we hear of boating accidents, drownings, sinking's etc that almost always have something to do with either captain error or boat safety equipment error.

 

[Gear'n'beer!]

Ok I have flares on my boat and i think I’m pretty compliant but all honesty how many flares saved lives? I’m thinking zero locally or we would have heard about ir

 

[Stosh]

I bet most fishing boats that have flares carry the cheapest multistar flares. Good luck ever seeing them in daylight. Smoke flares are about the only ones visible in daylight, but are expensive.

 

[sir-vivor]

Another Confirmation;


Good day,


You are correct. You may reduce the number of flares carried by 50% (with some restrictions on the number of Type D smoke signals) if you have a means of two way radio communication such as a VHF marine radio onboard the vessel.


Regards


Larry Spears

Marine Policy and Standards Officer

Small and Fishing Vessels, Design and Equipment Standards and Boating Safety

Transport Canada

Tower C, 330 Sparks St

Ottawa, ON K1A 0N5

 

[agentaqua]

Ya - agreed on the small, multistar flares. Not much use in the daytime verses smoke flares.

However, nowadays with all the available safety equipment (cell phones, one spot, inreach, etc.) and ESPECIALLY with waterproof handheld VHFs w GPS and DSC Distress Calling - no reason to not be equipped and ready with a ditch bag with all the stuff one needs - and not just flares. Assorted fuses, small tools, charging cords, etc.

AND I always carry spare batteries for the electronics, as well. That bag goes everywhere with me no matter whose boat I am in.

 

[profisher]

How many people have a current first aid coarse under their belt? It happens every year on the water...someone has a jammer while fishing and the person on the boat is on the radio asking for help. That is the most useful thing everyone should have.

 

[Foxsea]

How many people have a current first aid coarse under their belt? It happens every year on the water...someone has a jammer while fishing and the person on the boat is on the radio asking for help. That is the most useful thing everyone should have.

Great point! First aid kits are great but even better when you have first aid skills. I've maintained O.F.A. 2 for many years. I suspect many on this forum have O.F.A. as well. Make sure you have aspirin in the kit.

 

[sir-vivor]

How many people have a current first aid coarse under their belt? It happens every year on the water...someone has a jammer while fishing and the person on the boat is on the radio asking for help. That is the most useful thing everyone should have.

Should almost be mandatory with all the regulations, why not! Great Point Profisher !!