Please select your home edition
Edition
RS Sailing 2021 - LEADERBOARD

Legislation could make Maine a leader in solving the expired marine flare disposal problem

by Scott Croft 21 Feb 2019 05:02 PST
What to do with old marine flares? Maine may have figured out an answer to the problem © U.S. Coast Guard

Maine state representative Joyce "Jay" McCreight, Maine House District 51, has introduced an act that would establish and promote a system of safe disposal for expired marine flares, potentially solving an age-old disposal issue for the Pine Tree State's 100,000-plus registered recreational boat owners. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) applauds the introduction of the LD 430, the Safe Disposal of Expired Marine Flares Act, and supports its passage.

A hearing to discuss the bill is slated for Monday, Feb. 25 at 1 p.m. in the Public Safety Committee Room at the Maine State House in Augusta. BoatUS urges recreational boaters to attend in support of the bill.

Due to the mandated 42-month expiration date from date of manufacture, most boaters need to replace their boat's emergency flares after three seasons of boating. However, without a system to safely accept and dispose of outdated flares, they continue to present a safety and storage hazard for boat owners. In normal operation, flares can burn as high as 2,900 F, and they commonly contain perchlorates that are a groundwater contaminant and health hazard.

"If passed, the act would make Maine a national leader on an issue that has vexed boaters, government, and environmental advocates for decades," said BoatUS Manager of Government Affairs David Kennedy. "It solves the huge dilemma of how to safely dispose of these hazardous materials. We applaud Rep. McCreight for this smart solution and urge the Maine Legislature to move it forward to final passage."

The act would employ, on a voluntary basis, a network of local fire departments, marinas and municipalities, as well as groups that organize flare-disposal events to become collection points for the "timely pickup of the collected expired marine flares." It would also provide guidance on short-term storage of flares, develop a statewide education campaign, and require nonpolluting disposal of "all types of expired marine flares." The program would be available to recreational and commercial vessel operators.

Although the current Maine legislative session runs until mid-June, this legislation could come up for a vote in the next few weeks. If Maine boaters are unable to attend the Feb. 25 hearing in Augusta, BoatUS urges them to contact their state representative to ask them for their support and offers an easy way to do that by clicking here.

Related Articles

National Women's Sailing Association Conference
“Knowledge – Skills – Fun” while celebrating NWSA's 35th anniversary in St. Petersburg, Fl. The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) is expanding its 2025 National Women's Sailing Association Conference, presented by American Sailing, to three days. Posted on 18 Mar
Leadership in Women's Sailing Award Nominations
Recognizing achievement in inspiring, educating and enriching the lives of women through sailing The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) and Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) have opened nominations for the 2025 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award. Posted on 12 Nov 2024
Jerelyn Biehl honored for leadership
With 2024 BoatUS/NWSA Leadership in Women's Sailing Award The youngest of three children, Jerelyn Biehl was born into a sailing family. She learned sailing from her parents and as a teenager absorbed all things boating at her father's marine store. Posted on 13 Jun 2024
NWSA to host 2024 Conference
Ticket sales open March 16 The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) comes to the Crescent City with the 2024 National Women's Sailing Association Conference on Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Southern Yacht Club with help from Community Sailing New Orleans. Posted on 15 Mar 2024
Dr. Anne Kolker honored with Women's Sailing Award
By the Boat Owners Association of The United States and the National Women's Sailing Association Dr. Anne Kolker grew up sailing, first as a youngster, then through college, medical school and into marriage. However, when her husband died in 2008, she realized that she needed to learn more about sailing and grow her confidence behind the wheel. Posted on 6 Jun 2023
What's the Best 'Ship' in the Country?
Sea Scout Ship Viking of San Francisco honored with 2023-24 BoatUS National Flagship Award Sea Scout Ship Viking (Ship100) has been has named the 2023-2024 BoatUS National Flagship – a recognition as the best “ship” (Sea Scout group) in the country. Posted on 13 May 2023
West Coast's Sailing Convention for Women returns
BoatUS has sponsored the event for nearly three decades After a Covid hiatus the Sailing Convention for Women is back with full sails and expanded learning opportunities and slated for Saturday, April 1, 2023. Posted on 8 Dec 2022
Linda Newland urges women to 'Capture the Power'
BoatUS/NWSA Award Honoree Nearly four decades ago, Linda Newland, a greenhorn sailor, found herself alone on a sailboat with a sorry lack of nautical know-how. She became determined not to have the humbling event define her sailing. Posted on 9 Jun 2022
NWSA to roll out red carpet for women sailors
'Sharing Sailing!' Conference to be held at Houston Yacht Club The National Women's Sailing Association (NWSA) Conference comes to Houston Yacht Club, May 20-21, offering a day of fun, camaraderie and exceptional learning experiences for women sailors of all ages. Posted on 20 Mar 2022
NWSA Conference comes to Chicago's Jackson Park YC
“Sharing Sailing,” spotlights issue that sailors represent a small fraction of sailors nationwide Women sailors from all over the country will be heading to Jackson Park Yacht Club on Saturday, September 11 for the 20th annual Women's Sailing Conference. Posted on 27 Jul 2021
Selden 2020 - FOOTERCyclops Marine 2023 November - FOOTERNorth Sails Loft 57 Podcast