Ventura County boaters can drop off expired flares for free at Channel Islands Harbor this month as part of a statewide effort to keep toxic chemicals out of local waterways.
(CLAIR | Simi Valley, CA) — Recreational boaters in Ventura County can drop off expired marine flares for free from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at Channel Islands Harbor Marina in Oxnard. The event is open only to recreational boaters who live in the county or keep their boats berthed here. Participants must show proof of residence or a boat slip fee.
The collection is part of a statewide effort involving the California Product Stewardship Council, California State Parks and the California Coastal Commission's Boating Clean and Green Program. Boaters can also learn about reusable electronic alternatives to traditional flares at the event.
Commercial flares and other hazardous waste will not be accepted.
Marine flares are visual distress signals used to call for help when a boat is in danger. The U.S. Coast Guard requires boats operating on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas and connected waters to carry three visual distress signals. The signals must be in date and easy to reach.
Single-use pyrotechnic flares expire and must be replaced about every 42 months. Because they are classified as hazardous waste, disposal is restricted and expensive. The council said disposal can cost $10 to $350 per flare. Hosting one collection event can cost a local government $14,500 to $31,500.
Only three facilities nationwide accept marine flares, in Missouri, Illinois and Louisiana. Many California counties have no safe disposal option. Boaters sometimes store expired flares, throw them in the trash or discard them in waterways.
The flares contain toxic chemicals, including perchlorate, that can leach into drinking water and harm the environment when improperly discarded. Proper disposal helps protect public health, local waterways and the environment.
The council promotes electronic visual distress signal devices, which are reusable and approved by the Coast Guard. The devices have helped keep more than 2 million pyrotechnic flares out of the environment.
Visual distress signals work only when someone is in a position to see them. Good judgment is essential in using them, according to BoatUS. Pyrotechnic devices typically are not fired just to practice.
Federal regulations prohibit displaying distress signals on the water except when assistance is needed to prevent immediate or potential danger to people on board, according to the United States Power Squadrons. The Coast Guard dispatches a vessel or aircraft each time it receives a report of a distress signal.
Marine flares drew attention this year after a wildfire on Santa Rosa Island in Channel Islands National Park. The Coast Guard has said flares fired by a stranded boater may have sparked the blaze, as reported by ABC7. The National Park Service has called the fire human-caused, as the Santa Barbara Independent reported.
The fire burned about one-third of the island, including a rare Torrey pine grove, and destroyed two historic structures. KCLU reported it burned 18,379 acres before reaching full containment in early June.
For more information on safe disposal and reusable alternatives, visit calpsc.org/marineflares. The collection event is at Channel Islands Harbor Marina, 3850 Harbor Blvd., Oxnard.
