New Interim Disposal Program for Expired Marine Flares
ENVIRONMENT/LABOUR--New Interim Disposal Program for Expired Marine Flares
As boaters and mariners prepare for the 2003 boating season, a new program is available for the safe management of their expired marine flares.
Recreational boaters and mariners are asked to drop off expired marine flares at their nearest RCMP detachment or Canadian Coast Guard base. The disposal program, free of charge for boaters, was developed to protect public health, safety and the environment in Nova Scotia.
"Nova Scotians are world leaders in waste-resource management. This is another area where we are taking responsibility for the products we use," said Barry Friesen, solid-waste resource manager of Environment and Labour.
Marine flares, otherwise known as "pyrotechnic distress signals" are required on all small vessels. After their four-year expiry date, they are considered potentially unsafe for use, and must be carefully discarded.
Flares are explosives and pose certain hazards. Marine flares that end up in landfills or washed up on shorelines can cause injuries, and improper storage may result in fires.
"Unmanaged flare disposal can cause serious environmental and public safety problems. Last year, a residential fire, resulting in over $75,000 in estimated damage was caused by an old flare," said Jamie Briggs, an RCMP explosives technician.
The Disposal Program for Expired Marine Flares was developed in partnership by the Nova Scotia Department of Environment and Labour, the RCMP, the Canadian Coast Guard, and C-I-L/ORION, a Canadian flare manufacturer and distributor. It is designed as an interim measure to safely manage expired marine flares for recreational boaters and small commercial vessel operators. Large, bulk disposal from commercial outlets must continue to be arranged through private disposal.
"We are very pleased that a member of industry has stepped forward to work with us on this important program," said Sandra Inglis of the Canadian Coast Guard.
Expired flares will be shipped to C-I-L/ORION in Quebec, for safe disposal. The company is taking part in this program voluntarily.
Information on this program is available at the Canadian Coast Guard, Office of Boating Safety in Dartmouth or by calling 1-888- 670-0771 or 902-426-6362.