ACCORDING to statistics tabled by the Australian Maritime Safety Authority, 4174 marine incident reports were logged in Australian waters in 2025, with the most common incident types including collisions, groundings, and propulsion or systems failures.
In the event of an emergency on the water, distress flares are used as visual distress signals to attract attention and help organisations such as Marine Rescue to pinpoint locations.
A recent Marine Rescue Camden Haven flares demonstration and education event attracted 30 people keen to learn about the safe use of this essential equipment.
A spokesperson for the organisation told News Of The Area that the key message was preparation.
“Carry the right safety equipment, know where it is, know how to use it, and make sure everyone onboard understands the basics before you leave the ramp or marina,” the spokesperson said.
“In an emergency, clear communication, early action and visible distress signals can make a real difference.”
In NSW, boats out in open waters are required to carry two orange smoke handheld distress signals for daytime use, and two red handheld distress signals for nighttime use.
They must be in good condition, in date, dry, and easy to reach.
Marine Rescue Camden Haven Deputy Unit Commander Rick Stone emphasised the need to ensure that the flares were handled in a safe manner and disposed of correctly.
“The flares can burn under water, and if they’re dropped can burn a hole through a fibreglass boat,” Deputy Unit Commander Stone said.
“They are a serious piece of pyrotechnics and need to be handled appropriately.
“Expired or damaged flares must never be dumped or left at Marine Rescue or Service NSW,” he said.
Marine flares typically have a shelf life of three years and must be replaced before their expiry date.
Disposal is managed by Transport NSW under their Expired Distress Flares Disposal program, which has mobile collection points throughout the year.
It is an offence to ignite flares outside of an emergency.
By Rachael THORPE
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