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SOS Distress Light
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thataway



Joined: 02 Nov 2003
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PostPosted: Sun Mar 26, 2017 10:55 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

For day distress, the smoke bomb-flares are far more effective than a flag, flag or light.

Orange smoke canister or flares are fairly expensive--about $75 for either a 4 minute canister or 3 orange smoke flares.

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Thataway
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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
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PostPosted: Mon Mar 27, 2017 12:30 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

thataway wrote:
For day distress, the smoke bomb-flares are far more effective than a flag, flag or light.

Orange smoke canister or flares are fairly expensive--about $75 for either a 4 minute canister or 3 orange smoke flares.


Agree. Thumbs Up Thumbs Up

Just wanted to note that the LED Emergency Light will not meet or be effective in daylight hours.

Harvey
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hardee



Joined: 30 Oct 2006
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 2:43 am    Post subject: Re: SOS Distress Light Reply with quote

breausaw wrote:
Thinking of puchasing one of these to satisfy USCG Federal Requirements for DAY and NIGHT use in lieu of traditional flares.

No more worries of expired flares.

Will still keep the old flares, perhaps label them (for training only) when they expire.
Like to keep a 3 pack in the ditch bag, good for starting beach fire in an emergency.

Is anyone else carrying these? https://siriussignal.com

$100 a pop.




I saw these at the Seattle Boat Show last weekend at the "Captains Table" for ~$65.00. I have had mine for one year now and keep it in the ditch bag. Check it occasionally and it is holding fine. Will get new batteries before this season starts.

Harvey
SleepyC Moon

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jbdba01



Joined: 18 Nov 2014
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PostPosted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 7:08 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Had a neighbor who ended up in a liferaft for 66 days. Said hand flares were all but useless. Buy the gun. He had plenty of ships go right by him, but was convinced that had he had the gun he would have been picked up much earlier.

Book is here - it's a decent read, but like being adrift it gets a bit repetitive.

https://www.amazon.com/66-Days-Adrift-Disaster-Survival/dp/0071438742

I kept my expired hand flares, but replace the gun flares only.
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South of Heaven



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PostPosted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 7:38 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Wow, $65 is an amazing deal for those.
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nordicstallion



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PostPosted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 11:21 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I carry a streamlight spotlight on board. It has sos as one of the functions. The coast guard always ask for current flares.
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colbysmith



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PostPosted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 12:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I've thought about getting one, but only due to their not having an expiration date. I'd still keep the flares on board, as I question just how effective that light would be at night in heavy seas. Colby
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ssobol



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PostPosted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 12:31 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I got one mostly to avoid being caught out during a boat check.

However, the SOS light lasts a lot longer than a flare (burn time). Is not hazardous to operate, store, or ship. And can be simply operated when one is in the water (good luck trying to light a flare while floating in 2' waves).

In heavy seas, it is probably more effective than a flare because of the burn time.

The only drawback is that the light of a flare is brighter and more distinctive, and people are more conditioned to respond/react to a flare vs. a blinking light.

The electronic distress light should incorporate a light source that also radiates well in the IR spectrum. This will cause it to show up brightly in FLIR systems.
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colbysmith



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PostPosted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 12:49 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

While I'm thinking about it, if they are still available for $65 (new) and someone can purchase me one and bring it to the FH gathering, I'd happily pay you back for it. Colby
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hardee



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PostPosted: Wed Jan 31, 2018 3:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I think there are lots of good reasons for both flares and the electronic light. But considering that the e-light last for about 5000 times longer than the flares, I'm pretty sure it would be at least as effective as they are.

Colby, sorry I wont be going back to SBS but maybe some one here will.

I carry several lights that have the SOS function but just thought about, "Wonder if it is possible to get them all flashing in sync?"

Harvey
SleepyCMoon

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Phil Barnes



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PostPosted: Fri Feb 02, 2018 11:20 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

The Weems and Plath distress light with whistle and flag is available at Defender on a limited time special for about $70.

https://www.defender.com/product3.jsp?name=weems-and-plath-sos-distress-light-holiday-bundle&path=-1|135|2290132|2290134&id=4128942
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journey on



Joined: 03 Mar 2005
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I bought one of the lights, just because it doesn't expire. It came with a uscg daytime distress signal flag for daytime use. Between the two, I assume it meets all USCG requirements, so I don't need to carry flares so I don't.

Boris
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bschell



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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 12:26 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AstoriaDave wrote:
Sticking with flares, and avoiding strobes. Flares project, though visibility in daylight can be poor. Hence, they are my go-to nighttime signal.

Not a strobe devotee, primarily because the local SAR experts maintain that a swimmer in a confused sea is obscured about as much as his upper body is visible. Somthat a signal that blinks is much less likely to get spotted.


A few years back we were off Ensenada Mexico, say 60 to 70 miles offshore,
We were tuna fishing and done for the day so we shut down the engines and prepared for cocktails and dinner. I remember looking to the west and seeing a flare in the sky... I told the crew and we adjusted the compass to where I last saw the flare. As we continued another 5-7 miles in the direction we saw a second flare, we reset all navigation towards the second flare. We we finally arrived at the boat we found 3 men in a 26' craft that were not that happy with each other? so we kept our distance and calmed them down before the tie up. Empty beer cans littered the floor of the boat, We did not think they were heavy drinkers, we thought they were just scared shitless and this is how they handled the situation. Again, they were scared and upset so we were very careful on dealing with the men, our crew had weapons in hand and ready because we did not know how this would play out. Once we tied up and calmed the men, gave them water and food, we jump their batteries got the engines started and set them on a course to Point Loma, San diego. With directions to run at 9 miles per hour and no more, with the fuel they had left they would get home, as long as they did not kill each other on the way. My point is this: We are men who love the ocean, who love the adventure, but when crap starts to happen, we need to have a plan and then another plan. Mother nature is bigger than Jesus, be safe...
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colbysmith



Joined: 02 Oct 2011
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:33 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Phil, Rats! I linked to that Defender page and got:

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties.
It is possible that we are experiencing a short connection issue.
Please try to

If that does not work, we probably no longer carry this product.
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colbysmith



Joined: 02 Oct 2011
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PostPosted: Sat Feb 03, 2018 1:48 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok, I was able to find the link by going to their main page and searching for the SOS light. However, seeing they charged shipping of $10.50, I googled for other sources and came up with this one. No shipping charge, and the same price. So I ordered one. (IOW, no need for anyone to pick me up one at the boat show!)

http://www.fawcettboat.com/pc_product_detail.asp?key=3B6767FCE5C14C0EA220BCF22C917FE6&_vsrefdom=adwords&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI6LCduZGJ2QIVioZ-Ch1_1QDkEAQYASABEgIFCvD_BwE
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