Safety Equipment Check

[Midnightsun]

Have neglected this as we do not use these items unless all hell breaks loose. Kinda like that spare tire in your car which is probably at 4 psi if your lucky enough to have an older car that still has a spare that is.

Checked the dates on my flares and saw they expired in 2019. I know they are still functional however one needs to abide by the expiry dates if verified and there is a minute chance a couple will not work. Just a friendly reminder.

[pepmyster]

Very good reminder. I'm sure mine, now that you said it, are most probably expired as well.

[bud37]

There is also a fine for out of date flares if you are on water checked by the CG or the OPP........much higher in the USA.

Fire extinguishers is another item they will check.....there are some changes to the regs around 38-39 feet so be careful here as well.

[Midnightsun]

Here are the requirements for Canada, maybe someone can list the US requirements?

https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/file ... p_511e.pdf

40' and over gets rather weird as I need the normal stuff but it goes from 6 flares to 12 and then an axe? and at least 2 buckets capable of holding at least 10 litres. Really scratching my head on the Axe thing.

[AaHubb]

I've forgone the flares completely in favor of a battery powered beacon and a day emergency flag. A fresh set of batteries each spring and I'm good for the year. Its been accepted in the US for several years now but I don't know about Canada.
..Aaron

[Midnightsun]

Canada does not accept electronic flares because we are still in the ice age here when it comes to boating requirements. I do have one as a personal choice however according to transport Canada it is useless. There is a bunch of stuff you guys in the states can use be we cannot.

[km1125]

I still think it's absurd that in over 50 years we can't certify flares for more than 3 years at a time. That's no guarantee they'll work either, within that window. If they're not properly cared for they might not work months after manufacture but if you store them well they could easily last 10 years.

[Midnightsun]

OMG, Canada has got you beat. In the US your flares are good for 42 months, Canada is 48 months.

[Phrancus]

you don't have to replace all do you? just add a fresh one and each year you fire off the oldest at new years eve...

[bud37]

Flares are cheap, in any on water emergency you could have only a very few minutes at most to react so having fresh flares is a must so as not to waste precious time fooling with old stuff that may not fire off.

This applies to where your life jackets are stowed, and remember self inflatable jackets have a life as well.

The trick is trying to buy the freshest you can, sometimes they are 6months old already on the marina shelf.....be proactive and buy before expiry date if possible.