I have to agree with Joe about the value of SOLAS flares. I hate spending $50 each on them – it’s the frugal (read cheap) sailor part of me – but if I ever need help I want someone to notice. 12 or 25 gauge flares are glorified bottle rockets, and USCG approved aerial flares go up 250-300 feet and burn for a few seconds.
A few years ago I took a couple of expired SOLAS flares to my folks’ house on an inland lake in Michigan over July 4th. I figured to see what the flares looked like and make sure I knew how to set one off while everyone was shooting fireworks and wouldn’t notice the flare. WRONG! The rocket went up 1000 feet or more, the flare burst red and rode down on its parachute for what seemed like forever, and the whole lake was lit up like a blood red noon. I’m convinced that when you pop one of these puppies someone – probably everyone – will notice. Which is just what I want if I really need help. I also carry a couple of SOLAS smoke canisters aboard. I can’t recall the cost but it was pretty high. But when you pull the string and toss the can in the water, it lets out a cloud of orange smoke that seems like it would cover half of Lake Erie. I know this from watching a USCG training exercise ( I happened to be passing near Elizabeth City when the exercise was taking place) and I could see the smoke cloud from over three miles away. I hope I never have to use any of this, but if I do I know the SOLAS stuff will be well worth the cost. Rick Brass Washington, NC From: Della Barba, Joe via CnC-List [mailto:cnc-list@cnc-list.com] Sent: Wednesday, March 30, 2022 10:36 AM To: Stus-List <cnc-list@cnc-list.com> Cc: Della Barba, Joe <joe.della.ba...@ssa.gov> Subject: Stus-List Re: USCG flares vs electronic devices The electronic “flares” are a cheap way to be in compliance, but if you actually think you might need help they aren’t even remotely close to SOLAS flares. The strobes are probably going to be ignored by everyone, 12 gauge flares are useless unless you are right next to someone, but SOLAS flares light up the sky bright enough to read by! Joe Coquina
