LED flares??? Coast guard approved??

[crazy charlie]

Need some new flares and came across LED flares.I have a flare gun in a closed kit for as long as I can remember,12 gage I think ...with a pistol. I have never used a flare,I never go out at night and was wondering if this is a good choice ??

 

[dingbat]

Need some new flares and came across LED flares.I have a flare gun in a closed kit for as long as I can remember,12 gage I think ...with a pistol. I have never used a flare,I never go out at night and was wondering if this is a good choice ??

Have not bought a handheld flares in years. 12 gauge flares are the way too go.

 

[dwco5051]

If you are boating in waters where flares are required they are valid for four years from date of manufacture. Basically if it is more than three boating seasons your current flares are no legal. From what I found on the internet only one company makes a USCG approved flare.

Shining Light on Visual Distress Signals

Outfitting your boat is generally a personal preference, limited only by imagination and budget. However, most people’s approach to selecting safety gear for the boat is limited to purchasing the required “six of these, three of those, and one of that” … and they’re done. The best boater is one...

www.boatus.org

 

[Grub54891]

The led flares are legal, mostly for night, they float but are hard to see from any distance. Normally the kit comes with a flag, wich makes it legal for the daytime use, at least in my area. Reguardless, I still carry the pistol flares even after they expire, they still work. I'll shoot the old ones off on the 4th of july just for giggles. I keep them for 5 years after the date then get new. I'm legal as the electronic one is legal. Little known fact though, You must have spare batteries onboard for the electric ones to be legal.