An article in RYA News highlights why it is vital for marine craft to carry flares, says Chemring Marine, the world’s top marine distress signal company.
The story tells how Carl Lomas, who calls himself Lord Hollinsclough, and his family were sailing in the South Atlantic, near South Georgia, when their 60ft Oyster Cutter Sloop struck a low-lying iceberg and started sinking.
For the next 24 hours the family bailed water from their stricken vessel as the Royal Navy warship, HMS Clyde, which was a day away, raced to save them. As it drew near, Carl Lomas sent up four flares to pinpoint the yacht’s position and the family were rescued.
Mr Lomas said that when they hit the iceberg, “there was just this terrible, terrible noise. It was pitch black and absolutely terrifying. It was an awful night, our worst.”
Chris Feibusch, Chemring Marine’s sales manager, says, “This is a good demonstration of why flares are still valid. They are as important as ever as complementary safety equipment to be carried on board along with modern electronic devices.”
Chemring Marine is the world’s leading supplier of SOLAS, MED and USCG-approved marine distress signals to commercial and leisure marine markets. The company is part of the Chemring Group PLC.
Chemring Marine’s comprehensive range of products has been helping to save lives for more than 100 years and is specified by the world’s navies, merchant fleets, fishing vessels, rescue services, airlines and leisure craft.
Available through over 200 distributors in more than 80 countries, Chemring Marine’s comprehensive range of products has been helping to save lives for more than 100 years.
Chemring Marine is at the forefront of campaigning for improved global marine safety regulations, including introducing standardised rules on replacing dated safety products.