Disposing of Flares . . . Maybe

[off-the-grid]

Here's one for you Mr. Wizards...or those who've just tried this.

As far as I understand sticks can be lit and work underwater.
True, or have I seen too many movies?

Can a flare gun also be fired underwater?

And now the important question. Would either break the surface, making enough of a visual to fall within the not setting them off in a non emergency rule?

Or is underwater scuba flare disposal actually a feasible option?

Since no one else seems to want them.

[sabray]

[s/v 'Faith']

Shooting off a flare gun under water might be a recipe for disaster.

The flare is launched by the primer, I doubt it would leave the barrel of the gun before it lit the phosphorous.... might well melt, break the gun, and / or cause injury to the person firing it.

I have fired them directly into the water, and they do continue to burn but can not be seen from very far... a creek or pond might work out ok for this.

Hand held flares on land will look much like road flares...

[hummingway]

I'm with sabray on this and I appreciate the reminder that I have a (not quite boat) load of them stored on board. How about night fishing attractors?

[senormechanico]

4th of July...

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by senormechanico

4th of July...

Yeah, I guess I missed my opportunity the other night with the giant display going off next door.

So find a secluded place to light the sticks on land, and fire the shells into the water.

I actually just got rid of them today, but damn was it an adventure to get there.

[Inkwell]

You can do like my sailing buddy did - shoot them for the kids in the backyard and burn off the neighbors field!

[SailFastTri]

If they're ancient I fire them into a snow bank in winter, after a good snowfall.

I buy the SOLAS flares and I'm frugal too: They're too expensive to waste -- If they're less than 3 years out of date I keep them aboard, separate from the fresh ones. If I had a need to use pyrotechnic signals I'd try the expired ones first, unless it was absolutely urgent to be sure to be seen on the first attempt.

[s/v 'Faith']

Originally Posted by grunzster

....I actually just got rid of them today, but damn was it an adventure to get there.

Help me out here... if you got rid of them...

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by s/v 'Faith'

Help me out here... if you got rid of them...

Trying to figure out for next time, since it seems to be such a project, because no one wants them.

Same here SailFastTri, but they were really starting to pile, up and I had some ancient ones, ans shells that were rusted.

[senormechanico]

Originally Posted by SailFastTri

If they're ancient I fire them into a snow bank in winter, after a good snowfall.

I buy the SOLAS flares and I'm frugal too: They're too expensive to waste -- If they're less than 3 years out of date I keep them aboard, separate from the fresh ones. If I had a need to use pyrotechnic signals I'd try the expired ones first, unless it was absolutely urgent to be sure to be seen on the first attempt.

Back in the early '90's we were getting ready to cruise to Mexico.
We were given a 1972 Avon liferaft in a canister.
Long story short, we shot off all the SOLAS flares over Lake Washington on the 4th of July 1993.

After 21 years, all but one worked perfectly.
Those parachute flares are really cool !

We had the liferaft repacked, and the company which did the repack was happy to GIVE us a box of expired SOLAS flares.
We divvied them up with other cruising friends.

[delmarrey]

Originally Posted by grunzster

Trying to figure out for next time, since it seems to be such a project, because no one wants them.

The CG or Harbor patrol will take them. They like to play with them during training exercises.

[Auspicious]

Most fire departments will take expired flares also.

[off-the-grid]

Originally Posted by Auspicious

Most fire departments will take expired flares also.

That was the first place I tried, and would be the easiest.

I think the guys at any house would take them, but the pencil pushers are afraid they'll actually have some fun, so the answer is no. And that's really pretty much what I was told over the phone, when I called.

Originally Posted by suit on phone

"NO! We can't take those. They'll be lighting them off, and having sword fights with them, and taking them home to their kids."

[capngeo]

I buy enough flares to be legal and no more.... BUT I'll bet I have 50+ "expired" ones. My thoughts are that if I were really in need, I can shoot for a LONG time with all of those.

My $0.02 is that flares (like MOST medications) are viable for YEARS past their expiration, but the manufacturers wouldn't be able to sell new if they didn't go "bad". Keep them aboard "just in case"!