What are all the Pyrotechnics used onboard ship?

Pyrotechnics:

It is a Life-saving Appliance available onboard ships to grab the attention of the nearby ships so as to seek help and assistance in case of emergency. These Pyrotechnics are used in times of distress as mentioned in Annex IV of COLREG. 

In an extreme emergency (such as abandoning the vessel) the last ray of hope for the personnel's survival and rescue out at sea are the Pyrotechnics. 

Types of Pyrotechnics available onboard:

Hand Flares:

• A hand flare is a small cylindrical stick that when activated, produces an intense red smoke or light without an explosion.

• Hand flares should be held out in a leeward direction when activated.

• These can be used in the day as well as in the night during distress. 

• Hand flares shall burn in bright red colour and do not cause discomfort to the person holding the casing.

Rocket Parachute Flares:

• Rocket Parachute flares are designed to fire a single red star at a height of not less than 300 meters.

• Itself activates to produce intense red smoke.

• A parachute opens and it reduces the rate of descent that giving more time for the flare to remain at the height and to provide a clear view of the nearby ships.

• Parachute flares are so constructed that they shall not damage their parachute or attachments while burning.

Buoyant Smoke Signals:

• A buoyant smoke signal is pyrotechnic equipment held in a compact container with a buoyant nature so that it can float on the water surface to signal distress situations.

• It emits a bright orange smoke that can indicate the distress position for the rescue.

• It is so constructed that it shall not emit any flame during the entire smoke emission time.

Self-activating Smoke Signals:

• The self-activating smoke signal is equipped within the lifebuoy for distress situations of daytime.

• It is always provided in combination with self-igniting light in the lifebuoys so that it is available for use day and night, and is equally distributed on both sides of the ship.

• It is so provided with a quick-release arrangement that will automatically release and activate the signal and associated self-igniting light connected to a lifebuoy.

• It emits a highly visible bright orange colour smoke at a uniform rate that lasts for a period of at least 15 minutes when floating in calm water.

Minimum No. of Signaling Equipment to be onboard as Per SOLAS:

• In accordance with the SOLAS Regulation, there should be at least 
• Twelve Rocket Parachute Flares 
• SixHand Flares
• Two Buoyant Smoke Signals (one on the port side and one on the starboard side).

• In addition to that each lifeboat shall contain the following:

• Two Buoyant smoke signals

• Four Rocket Parachute Flares

• Six Hand Flares

Maintenance on Pyrotechnics used onboard:

• It should be kept in safe storage with the cases properly closed.

• It should be stored in a clean and dry area.

• Always keep flares away from the fuel or other combustible material. 

• Carry out the weekly and Monthly maintenance (Cleaning, Securing, Expiry date check, general condition etc.) as per the LSA schedule of the ship as guided under the company ISM requirements.

Disposal of Pyrotechnics:

• Normally all the pyrotechnics has an expiry period (which is mentioned clearly in the equipment itself).

• Expiration date - not more than 42 months after the date of manufacture and 48 months in case of line-throwing appliance components containing pyrotechnic materials.

• Replacement after the expiration period helps in order to avoid fraudulently tempering.

• Since it is an explosive always be cautious while handling this equipment onboard ship especially when it is expired.

• The expired ones are identified and landed at the certified facility and the disposal certificate has to be collected and a copy is kept on board as a record. 

Marking on Pyrotechnics:

Each pyrotechnic equipment shall be clearly or legibly marked or labelled with the following pieces of information as appropriate:

• Company Name and Location

• Brand or style of designation

• Type of Pyrotechnic device

• The intensity in Candela (For Flares only)

• Burning time (For flares and smoke signals only)

• Simple operation instructions or diagrams clearly illustrate the use of equipment.

• Date of Manufacture (Month and year)

• Expiration date

• Test Approval Stamp or Certificate

• LOT number (Code number)

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