U.S. Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor to Host Safe Boating Expo, May 11

U.S. Coast Guard vessels will be open for tours at the Safe Boating Expo, but due to their popularity, reservations are required.

Boaters urged to drop off expired marine flares

Boating safety and family fun come together at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor 14th annual Safe Boating Expo on Saturday, May 11, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 4201 South Victoria Ave., Oxnard. Included at the event is a free life jacket exchange that provides a new life jacket for every worn-out one brought to the event, as well as a free marine flare disposal opportunity offered by the Ventura Bomb Squad.

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is urging boaters to take advantage of the flare disposal opportunity as there are currently only two collection sites in California that will accept and dispose of outdated flares. Outdated or unserviceable flares present a safety hazard and disposal challenge for boat owners as these required emergency signaling devices must be replaced about every three seasons of boating.

read more

San Francisco Boaters: Bring Your Expired Flares to the Collection Event, Sunday, April 14, at East Marina Green Triangle

What to do with old marine flares? Bring them to a special collection event on Sunday, April 14, in the Marina District at East Marina Green Triangle.

SF Environment pilot event helps address proper disposal of marine flares

The Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is urging San Francisco boaters to take advantage of a marine flare collection event held by the San Francisco Department of Environment (SF Environment) on Sunday, April 14, at East Marina Green Triangle in the Marina District of San Francisco. Boat owners are encouraged to drop off old, damaged, or expired hand-held flares, aerial flares and smoke signals to ensure safe and proper disposal.

“There probably isn’t a Bay Area boater who hasn’t had to store old, expired flares aboard their boat because there is simply no way to safely dispose of them,” said BoatUS Vice President of Government Affairs Chris Edmonston. “We applaud the San Francisco Department of Environment for helping to address this age-old boater’s dilemma through this pilot collection event.”

Marine flares are carried aboard recreational boats in the event a vessel may need to signal for emergency response. Because of a mandated 42-month expiration date from the date of manufacture, marine flares need to be replaced about every three seasons of boating. Yet, there are currently only two collection sites in California that will accept and dispose of outdated flares. This presents a safety hazard and disposal challenge for Bay Area boat owners.

read more

Legislation Could Make Maine a Leader in Solving the Expired Marine Flare Disposal Problem

What to do with old marine flares? Maine may have figured out an answer to the problem (photo: U.S. Coast Guard)

Safe Disposal of Expired Marine Flares Act., Hearing set for Monday, Feb. 25, 1 p.m.

Maine state representative Joyce “Jay” McCreight, Maine House District 51, has introduced an act that would establish and promote a system of safe disposal for expired marine flares, potentially solving an age-old disposal issue for the Pine Tree State’s 100,000-plus registered recreational boat owners. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) applauds the introduction of the LD 430, the Safe Disposal of Expired Marine Flares Act, and supports its passage.

A hearing to discuss the bill is slated for Monday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. in the Public Safety Committee Room at the Maine State House in Augusta. BoatUS urges recreational boaters to attend in support of the bill.

Due to the mandated 42-month expiration date from date of manufacture, most boaters need to replace their boat’s emergency flares after three seasons of boating. However, without a system to safely accept and dispose of outdated flares, they continue to present a safety and storage hazard for boat owners. In normal operation, flares can burn as high as 2,900 F, and they commonly contain perchlorates that are a groundwater contaminant and health hazard.

“If passed, the act would make Maine a national leader on an issue that has vexed boaters, government, and environmental advocates for decades,” said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. “It solves the huge dilemma of how to safely dispose of these hazardous materials. We applaud Rep. McCreight for this smart solution and urge the Maine Legislature to move it forward to final passage.”

read more