...FLARES...

THE FOLLOWING IS A SAFE BOATING MESSAGE FROM THE LONG BAY SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON

Visual Distress Signals, usually hand held or "gun type" flares are used only when you are in Distress and someone is likely to see them. The Coast Guard may ask you to set off a flare so they can pin point your location. Shoot two close together. The first may catch someone's attention and the second one confirms the sighting. Be sure you fire flares down-wind and hold the handheld type over the side of the vessel since the dripping slag can ignite a fire onboard.

If you are using a flare pistol, get in a safe position and ready to fire before loading the cartridge. Point high over your head, arm fully extended, then cock and fire. Do not look up due to the risk of sparks and residue dropping into your eyes. Lower the pistol, point away from all others and remove the spent cartridge. If a cartridge fails to fire, continue pointing skyward and wait 30 seconds – cock and fire again. If it still fails to fire, wait 30 seconds and carefully remove the cartridge.

Even though flares will often "fire" when they are past the expiration date, the Coast Guard recommends that you get rid of any that are 5 years past the expiration date. Old outdated flares may be turned over to a Coast Guard base or US Coast Guard Auxiliary and US Power Squadron Vessel Safety Check Stations.

THIS MESSAGE WAS BROUGHT TO YOU BY...

THE LONG BAY SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON

 ...YOU'RE IN COMMAND. BOAT RESPONSIBLY!...

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