SOS Distress Light Electronic Flare

Stodge

If you've been waiting for the electronic flares to get cheaper, West Marine has them for Black Friday for $70.  They normally run $100.  This is the only floating strobe SOS light that is Coast Guard approved as a visual distress signal.  Meaning you don't need flares if you have one of these.

 https://www.westmarine.com/blackfriday?cm_mmc=EM-_-Promo-_-N/A-_-N/A

Black_Diamond

I thought these were night time approved only?  If daylight approved, that is a big score on saving money on flares that expire every three years.

Stodge

Actually flares are only for night use.  The orange "flag" with the black circle and bar (looks like a morse code A) is the day signal.  The electronic flares come with a day signal flag and both are actually required to be aboard if using the electronic.

Trashman

A lot safer than firing up a flare on the boat for sure!  I have one... just no boat. Lol

Black_Diamond

The SOLAS flares are excellent for day use.  They are magnitudes brighter than normal flares. 

They are an off-shore flare type.  Great Lakes / oceans due to the potential distance from land.  

Stodge

We (Coast Guard Auxiliary) had a flare lighting event last year where folks were invited to fire off their old flares by the water.  We coordinated with the local Coast Guard so they knew we were doing that and to ignore the flares.  It was surprising to me that nearly none of the participants had ever operated a flare.  The dripping burning stuff coming off the stick flares was a surprise to many.  We advised everyone to hold the stick flares out over the water and provided buckets to douse them.  

Point is, the flares can be as or more dangerous than the "emergency" aboard your vessel.