Flares

[Waiwhare]

In darkness how do you identify flares by feel? Can't find anything on flare specifications in data sheets, very little information on web. One site was very helpful, it said, "some flares may have raised shapes on end cap to help distinguish flares in darnkess" .... what shape?

The firing of rocket flares, contradictory information:
Some sites/instructions say to windward, some sites say to leeward ???
What is the correct angle in windy conditions?

Thanks.

[Connemara]

My suggestion would be to look at your flares and see how they differ. They will also have instructions for use printed on them

Personally, I'd be leery of firing a flare to windward. I know not to barf or pee that way and I'd think the risks would be even greater with a flare.

If you don't actually have flares and the question was theoretical, perhaps wander down to the chandlery and take a look.

I'd answer more definitively, but my flares are aboard, the boat is on the hard, and it's raining.

I suppose, BTW, I could come up with a situation in which I'd need to tell one flare from another by feel, but I always have a flashlight or two available.

Connemara

[Waiwhare]

Thanks Connemara,

"How do you identify and select flares in pitch darkness?" review question in offshore skipper course started me looking..

"wander down to local chandlery" good suggestion .. my favourite shop.
May not fully answer question...

I have expired Pains-Wessex inshore set- red flare and orange smoke in a box - outside of box refers to embossed caps for night itentification -"X" red flare "O" orange smoke

Another Pains-Wessex set I have is in heat sealed plastic bag - no reference to embossed caps. No reference to night time identifation on actual flares.

Current "comet RFD" set - orange smoke embossed "O" Red flare not embossed - no reference to symbols or instruction for identification in darkness. Of course looking at them and comparing in cold light of day non emergency situation the units are clearly different shapes...could I recall which shape was which under stress and after not looking at flares for period od time ...????
Pains-Wessex/Comet different shapes and caps different designs....

Waiwhare is taking water at alarming rate.... its dark ... torch is missing...matches are wet.... I'm panicing (just a little)... found the flares ... pitch darkness ...,Now which brand have I got ... so do I use smaller one with deeply ribbed cap of bigger one with smoothish cap ... hang on Paines-Wessex caps have fine ribs ....I'm still calm..????

Is there .. should there be a "standard" SOLAS type requirement for identification by "touch"

Intrigued that something that is really quite important has so little readily available or highlighted instruction.

Has any one considered how they would select correct flare in night time emergency with torch off doing a "Wilson".

Guess you could keep firing flares untill correct one lights up the sky..?

[MarkJ]

Originally Posted by Waiwhare

Some sites/instructions say to windward, some sites say to leeward ???
What is the correct angle in windy conditions?
.

It depends where the pirates are. To windward or leeward.




Mark