but Poole flare disposal store now open
Boat owners have encountered some delays arranging disposal of their out-of-date flares, admits the MCA.
PBO reader, Mike Lofthouse from Dorset was told the RNLI Headquarters in Poole would be unable to accept flares until the end of summer. His next call to Solent Coastguard revealed that the next available date would not be until September.
‘There has been a slight delay in Poole,’ according to an MCA spokesperson. ‘But the store there has now opened. Solent have been accepting time expired pyrotechnics since the new scheme began (1 April) but due to high demand their next available storage slot is in September. Obviously there is an issue here with capacity and we are talking to our contractor to see if the situation can be improved.’
The MCA is urging boat owners to exhaust all other avenues before delivering old flares to their bases, including contacting suppliers and local authorities.