Disposal of flares to change with 'very important breakthrough'

How to dispose of flares is changing, enabling HM Coastguard to be "fully focussed on saving lives at sea". 

A temporary scheme to get rid of redundant marine pyrotechnics, the service HM Coastguard has been providing at 17 of its stations since 2010, as well as the RNLI at its headquarters in Poole, will come to an end on 31 December, 2022.

Instead the new system, supported by both British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association, will provide a website showing links to businesses offering disposal services across the United Kingdom.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) has been working with Department for Transport and the sector to find a service of the same standard to replace it.

Disposal of marine pyrotechnics, known as flares, to change                                       Copyright: Shutterstock 2016

The new arrangements, which will continue to build over time, will offer solutions to not only boatowners, but also provide guidance and advice to businesses.

Yachting and boating clubs, chandlers, marinas and boatyards may see business opportunities in offering their members and customers local solutions.

Claire Hughes, Director of Her Majesty’s Coastguard, the frontline emergency service of the MCA, said she welcomed the innovative approach from the industry.

She said: “This is a very important breakthrough and I’m very grateful to British Marine and the Royal Yachting Association together with the wider marine and waste disposal industries for working to find and provide a solution to this ongoing challenge.

“Providing disposal services for these redundant marine pyrotechnics is really important as they can put public safety and the marine and coastal environment at risk.

“Also, by doing this, the industry is helping and supporting HM Coastguard by making sure we can be fully focussed on saving lives at sea and supporting coastal communities in making our coast and waters a safer place for all.”

Although HM Coastguard will continue to receive old flares from the public until the end of the year, the new arrangements are in operation to provide an overlap and resilience.


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