Firing flares safely, expiry and disposal
1The lesson in plain words
Flares burn very hot and can injure you badly. Read the instructions before you need them, fire on the downwind side, and never fire old flares to get rid of them.
Before you need them
Read the instructions on each flare in harbour; makers' designs differ. Store flares in a dry, marked waterproof container, quick to reach. Every crew member should know where they are and how to fire them. Wear gloves if you can.
Hand flares
Fire from the downwind side of the boat, so smoke and burning drops blow away from you and the boat. Hold the flare firmly at arm’s length, over the side, pointing up and away. Turn your head away from the flame and never look straight into it. Do not hold it over a liferaft or dinghy. The spent casing stays hot. Cool and secure it as the maker directs, then retain it for proper disposal ashore.
Rockets
Follow the maker’s firing instructions. Normally fire nearly vertically, with a slight downwind tilt if specified. In low cloud, use about 45° downwind only if the maker permits it. This may improve visibility, but very low cloud may still hide the flare. Never aim at people, sails, rigging or aircraft. A second rocket after a minute or two helps observers confirm the signal and take a bearing.
Expiry
Each flare is marked with an expiry date, usually about 3 to 4 years after it was made. Old flares can fail to fire, burn weakly or misfire dangerously. Replace them before they expire.
Disposal
Never fire flares to get rid of them: rescuers will treat them as real distress, and in many countries it is an offence. Never throw them overboard or into household rubbish. In the UK, the coastguard stopped taking old flares at the end of 2022; use a commercial disposal service. In Spain, return them to the seller or an authorised hazardous-waste manager, and ask the marina.
2Key data
- Hand flare
- Downwind side, arm's length, over the side, look away
- Rocket
- Low cloud: about 45° downwind only if the maker permits it
- Second rocket
- A minute or two after the first
- Typical life
- About 3–4 years from manufacture; check the date
- Disposal
- Never fire, dump at sea or bin; use an approved service
- UK
- Coastguard disposal ended 2022; commercial services now
3Key points
- 1
Read every flare's instructions in harbour, before you need them.
- 2
Fire hand flares from the downwind side, at arm's length, looking away.
- 3
Follow the maker: normally nearly vertical; about 45° downwind in low cloud only if permitted. Visibility is not guaranteed.
- 4
Replace flares before their expiry date, usually 3–4 years after manufacture.
- 5
Never fire or dump old flares: use an approved disposal route.
4Frequent mistakes
Wrong: Fire hand flares from the upwind side so the light reaches the rescuers.
Right: Fire from the downwind side, so smoke and burning drops blow away from you and the boat.
Wrong: Let off old flares at a festival or New Year to dispose of them.
Right: Rescuers will treat them as real distress, and it can be an offence. Use an approved disposal service.
Wrong: Out-of-date flares are as good as new if kept dry.
Right: Old flares can fail or misfire. Replace them before the expiry date.
5Practice case & exam keys
At the start of the season you find that your flare container holds two in-date rockets, three hand flares that expired last year and one orange smoke that expires next month. A crew member suggests firing the old ones off the beach to practise. What do you do?
Show the answer
Do not fire them: it could start a rescue and may be an offence. Replace the expired hand flares before sailing. Check that the smoke signal will remain in date throughout the trip; arrange its replacement before expiry. Read the instructions on each with the crew and show where they are stored. Take the expired flares to an approved disposal service, or back to the seller where a scheme exists. Never dump them at sea or in the rubbish.
Exam keys
- Hand flare: downwind side, arm's length, over the side, look away.
- Rocket: follow maker; normally nearly vertical; low cloud about 45° downwind only if permitted; never at aircraft.
- Expiry usually 3–4 years from manufacture; replace in time.
- Disposal: never fire or dump; approved services (UK commercial since 2023).
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