#Flares - Distress flares have outlived their usefulness in an age of modern water safety technology, says the Royal Yachting Association - which is urging British authorities to drop the requirement for flares on yachts larger than 13.7 metres.
On her Yachting World blog, Elaine Bunting highlights quotes from the RYA's cruising manager Stuart Carruthers who argues that the need for flares is negated by "EPIRBs, personal locator beacons, and VHF DSC that will do the job automatically".
He adds: "If you are not carrying another electronic device [aside from flares] then you'd be barking mad, because that's the way the management of search and rescue has gone."
Carruthers also points out that an omnidirectional laser flare works out as better value than an offshore flare pack, and performs a better job of helping to pinpoint your location in a rescue effort.
The RYA is now pushing for the UK's Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to review its safety requirements for craft over 13.7m, which make compulsory the carriage of parachute flares - which are illegal if the operator has not undergone training, though there is currently no training available for yachtsmen.
Yachting World has much more on the story HERE.
