Pyrotechnic Flares
Knowing which flare to use and when can make the difference between being found quickly and drifting unnoticed. This guide covers every type of marine pyrotechnic, when to use it, and what the law requires you to carry.
Red Parachute Rocket
When to use
Long-range distress signalling, day or night. Your primary distress flare.
How to use
Hold firmly, remove cap, pull trigger. Fire vertically (or 15° downwind in strong wind). The rocket reaches ~300m altitude and deploys a red parachute flare that burns while descending.
Range
Visible up to 25–40 nautical miles at night, 7+ nm by day
Duration
~40 seconds burn time
Notes
Fire in pairs, 1 minute apart, for best chance of being seen. Check the wind direction — angle downwind to keep the flare from drifting away.
Red Hand-Held Flare
When to use
Close-range distress pinpointing — when rescue is nearby and you need to show your exact position.
How to use
Remove cap, strike like a match or pull the ignition cord. Hold over the leeward side, arm extended, angled slightly downwind. Keep away from rigging and sails.
Range
Visible 3–5 nautical miles at night
Duration
~60 seconds burn time
Notes
Drips molten residue — always hold downwind and over the water. Wear gloves if possible. Useful for liferaft signalling when aircraft or vessel is close.
Orange Smoke Signal
When to use
Daytime distress signalling and position marking. Most effective flare in daylight.
How to use
Remove cap, pull ignition cord. Place in the water on the leeward side or hold at arm's length. The canister produces dense orange smoke.
Range
Visible 3–5 nautical miles by day (depends on wind)
Duration
~3 minutes (handheld) or ~3–4 minutes (buoyant canister)
Notes
Ineffective in strong wind (smoke disperses quickly). Best used in light to moderate conditions. Also useful for showing wind direction to approaching helicopters.
White Hand-Held Flare
When to use
Collision avoidance — to alert another vessel of your position. NOT a distress signal.
How to use
Same activation as red hand-held. Hold at arm's length, downwind side.
Range
Visible 3–5 nautical miles at night
Duration
~60 seconds burn time
Notes
Carry white flares separately from reds to avoid confusion in an emergency. Useful in shipping lanes, narrow channels, or when you suspect another vessel hasn't seen you.
Carriage Requirements
Requirements vary by country and distance offshore. These are general guidelines based on MCA/RYA recommendations for UK recreational vessels. Always check the regulations for your flag state and sailing area.
Within 3nm of shore
Minimum: 2 red hand-held flares + 2 orange smoke
Recommended: Add 2 red parachute rockets + 2 white hand-held
Up to 7nm offshore
Minimum: 4 red parachute rockets + 4 red hand-held + 2 orange smoke + 2 white hand-held
Recommended: Double the parachute rockets for extended passages
Offshore / ocean
Minimum: 4 red parachute rockets + 4 red hand-held + 2 buoyant orange smoke + 2 white hand-held
Recommended: Carry 6 parachute rockets and 6 hand-held. Include an EPIRB as primary alerting.
Shelf Life & Disposal
Shelf life: All SOLAS-approved pyrotechnics have a 3-year expiry from the date of manufacture, stamped on the casing. After this date, they are no longer legally compliant — but they may still function.
Expired flares:Many skippers keep expired flares on board as additional backup (in a separate bag, clearly marked "EXPIRED"). They are not a substitute for in-date pyrotechnics.
Disposal: Never throw flares in household waste or overboard. Return expired pyrotechnics to your local coastguard station, chandlery, or marina — most have collection points. Some sailing clubs organise disposal days.
Never fire a flare for practice unless you are at an organised training event. Firing a distress flare triggers a search and rescue response and is a criminal offence if done without genuine distress.
Tip: Print this page and keep it with your flare pack in the grab bag.