Do we still need pyrotechnic flares?

Gilbert Park discusses modern distress signalling options, safety regulations and what kit he takes on board for boating and kayaking

- Gilbert Park 

Recommendations and laws for distress signalling in many countries are behind the times. VHF radio – some with the red distress button – mobile or satellite phones and electronic visual distress signals (EVDS) are available, waterproof, affordable and reliable. Yet pyrotechnic flares are still Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) requirements. They find their way into all sorts of boats, even for owners, like me, who fear them and believe them to be unsafe.

UK flagged leisure vessels less than 13.7m do not by law have to carry flares or any life-saving equipment. Vessels flagged in other countries may be legally required to carry flares. However, in some countries British-flagged boats may be fined for having out of date flares on board. All liferafts come with flares and it is a requirement for all coded vessels to carry flares. So the question is: are flares dangerous, ineffectual, or both?

Old technology?

The majority of UK boat owners are not required to carry flares, or indeed any distress equipment, yet the manufacturers still insist flares are ‘essential’. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has recently stated that there is no downside to carrying flares on board, yet the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) is unable to get insurance to train leisure boaters in their use. All professional ship crew, at even the most basic level, get a chance to let off a flare during training.

The US Coast Guard has described the pyrotechnic flare as ‘old technology’ and now allows leisure boats to carry one EVDS and an orange flag instead of flares, using VHF radio as the primary source of summoning help.