Flares on boat

[longpointer]

Better to have and not need then to be wishing you had.

[Fisherman]

Just remember to check the expiry date before buying and to replace if you decide to go that way.

[Woodsman]

Here are the Transport Canada regs https://tc.canada.ca/sites/default/f...ed/tp_511e.pdf


MINIMUM SAFETY EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS BY BOAT TYPE AND LENGTHNOTE: See page 19 for notes.BOAT TYPE AND LENGTH PERSONAL LIFESAVINGAPPLIANCES VISUAL SIGNALS VESSEL SAFETY EQUIPMENT NAVIGATION EQUIPMENT FIRE FIGHTING EQUIPMENT•Paddleboats• Watercycles•Standup Paddleboards•Sealed-Hull and Sit-on-TopKayaks1. One (1) lifejacket or PFD foreach person on board*2. One (1) reboarding device(See Note 1)3. One (1) buoyant heaving lineat least 15 m (49’3”) longIf boat is over 6 m4. One (1) watertight flashlight5. [COLOR=#ff0000]Six (6) flares of Type A, B, C orD, only two (2) can be Type D.(See Note 2)6. One (1) bailerOROne manual bilge pump(See Note 3)ORBilge-pumping arrangements7. One (1) sound-signallingdevice or appliance8. Navigation lights(See Note 4)9. One (1) magnetic compass(See Note 5)10.One (1) radar



I do recall at one time the great lakes having different rules than other inland waters, one was for a paper map, another when to wear a life jacket and the third for flares vs other signaling devices.

That copy & paste narrative is confusing at best.
Following your provided link (pgs. 15-19) gives a more accurate explanation.

[sabmgb]

I have had flares in my boats since I got my 19ft, I always thought 19ft was over the 6M, until years later and I actually did the conversion. Oh well I didn't need flares but always nice to have but they only last 4 years from date of manufacture. I then bought a 20ft 4" boat so now I do need them so I already had the gun anyway. I had never heard the 1 mile rule until a couple years ago when I was checked on the Detroit river by the Windsor Police, then again this year on the St Clair River by the OPP, both said I didn't need them since I was in the river, but checked the dates anyway just to let me know when they were due, I have to buy new ones this before next season as my 4 years will be up. Yes always check manufactures date as you want to get your full term. I did buy them once when the date was couple years old, but paid half the price.

[Bushmoose]

I had never heard the 1 mile rule until a couple years ago when I was checked on the Detroit river by the Windsor Police, then again this year on the St Clair River by the OPP, both said I didn't need them since I was in the river,

I had never heard of the one mile rule either and did some looking into this. Quote from the Safe Boating Guide,
"Flares are not required for a boat that:
• is operating on a river, canal or lake in which it can never be more than
one (1) nautical mile (1.852 km) from shore; "

A boater might be ok while on a river or lake that is narrower than 2 nautical miles, since it's obvious it would be impossible to be more than a mile from any shore at any given point. Take a run out to Lake St. Clair however and everything changes. Fishing off the shore from Bronte (or wherever) and that puts a boater into the realm of requiring flares in the boat size falls into the category.

[MarkD]

I had never heard the 1 mile rule until a couple years ago when I was checked on the Detroit river by the Windsor Police, then again this year on the St Clair River by the OPP, both said I didn't need them since I was in the river, but checked the dates anyway just to let me know when they were due, I have to buy new ones this before next season as my 4 years will be up. Yes always check manufactures date as you want to get your full term. I did buy them once when the date was couple years old, but paid half the price.

I'm still confused with this rule...
In the last two-three years I was checked few times by OPP and MNR on the water quite far from the shore... They never asked about flares...
Anyway, I sent email to OOD Mag for clarification... Will see what the say...

[trimmer21]

Marine flare kits can be found at Canadian Tire. They're not that expensive,around $90 for good ones. It's better to have them and not need them than the other way around like someone already posted. A word of caution,though. Never fire one off if you're not in trouble. It's the same offense as pulling a false fire alarm. I accidently fired one trying to figure out how it works. There was a Marine Patrol boat within eyesight. No ticket,but,I got talked at.

[MarkD]

Thanks for suggestions!
I'm thinking about it…
The problem is that I have just a 16' aluminum utility boat, no floor. I cannot store it permanently in the boat as there is no suitable room for it and they should be kept out of heat (the boat stays on the ground in direct sunlight when not in use).
When I go on the water, we usually go for a day - from sunrise to sunset and have to pack a lot of stuff: my wife, two dogs, rods, net, two anchors, food, sliping stuff etc etc… So I’m trying to avoid any unnecessary items…. Especially if it is dangerous in any means…
But yes, I may go for it. Thanks everybody for suggestions!