All about flares

This article will tell you about the different types of flares, and how to store, use and dispose of them. To learn more about flares, get yourself on a Day Skipper course - Coastguard members get a great discount!

We recommend our partners Marine Deals if you're in the market for new flares - they have a huge range of flares at great prices.

There are several types of flares, each with their benefits:

• Orange smoke – when triggered, this lets off a cloud of orange smoke, which can't be extinguished due to heavy rain or howling wind. These are good as a line-of-sight distress signal, but because there's nothing burning (and so nothing glowing) they're suited for daytime use only. 

• Red handheld – effective as a line-of-sight distress signal by day and night, handheld flares are very bright with a good visibility range. They are very visible from an aircraft and will usually burn for up to 60 seconds. 

• Red parachute or rocket – capable of attracting attention in daylight for up to 10 miles depending on conditions and up to 40 miles at night. The rocket launches the flare up to a height of about 300 metres and the flare burns for 40-60 seconds as it slowly descends. But don't use this type of flare when there is a helicopter or aircraft overhead.

Be flare ready 

Read and understand the firing instruction(s) for your flares before you need to use them. 

• Firing mechanisms vary so make sure that you read the instructions printed on the sides. It's not the right time to learn how to use a flare when you're in trouble on the water. 

• Always store flares in a waterproof container or in a dry designated area below deck. Make sure that your passengers and crew know where they are and how to use them. 

• Before each boating season begins, check the expiry date of the flares and replace them as necessary. Old flares become unstable and can be unreliable. 

• Dispose of expired flares in a safe manner (see below). 
   

Firing flares

You're in an emergency and you need to attract attention. To help rescue services narrow down your position, it's time to let off your flares. 

• If you have multiple flares, fire only one as soon as you’re in distress and keep other flares for when you need to attract a searcher’s attention, such as when you spot a search aircraft or other boats searching. 

• Hold hand-held flares over the downwind side of the boat with your arm fully outstretched. Flares burn with extreme heat and can very easily damage your boat, your life raft or people. 

• Point them away from yourself, anyone else and the superstructure of the boat. 

• Flares are extremely bright and you should not look directly at the light as it will damage your eyesight. 

• Parachute flares should be fired downwind at ideally a 15 to 20 degree angle off vertical.

Note: never set flares off unless you are in distress, or are attending a properly organised flare demonstration.

Disposal of old flares

Old flares should not be kept as spares, because the propellant degrades over time. While an expired flare may still fire, there's no guarantee – and do you want a flare to fail when you really need it? Every flare should have a date of manufacture and an expiry date (usually 3-6 years after manufacture).

• Leave the flares where they are if it is safe to do so and either call your local marine equipment supplier or Police on 105 to discuss the best process for disposing of the flares. Do not take the flares into your local police station.

• Never leave them outside for someone to collect, or put them in the rubbish.

• Never incinerate or let off expired flares. They're not fireworks!

• Expired or very old flares should be treated like explosives, so handle old ones with care.