Orion flare recall

Bruce Moore

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Fluid Motion Model
C-24 C
Hull Identification Number
USFMLT4104I
Non-Fluid Motion Model
SSBN 658 Mariano G. Vallejo
Vessel Name
Soundtrack
MMSI Number
368096220
I just got this from the RBAW - in case you haven't seen it.

-----------------------------------

See the press release below and please forward to your members and networks as appropriate,

Thanks,
Wade Alonzo
Recreational Boating Safety Manager
Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission
(360) 902-8836
1111 Israel Road SW
PO Box 42650
Tumwater, WA 98512
www.BoaterEd.org

Sent: Monday, December 12, 2011 12:27 PM
Subject: Orion issues recall notice for hand-launched aerial signals


Orion issues recall notice for hand-launched aerial signals

Dec 8 2011 in Currents by Deborah Bach

Orion Safety Products has issued a recall for two models of its hand-launched aerial signals, citing problems with the devices failing to launch and/or ignite.

The recall applies to older Orion XLT and 12-gauge signals made with orange ABS plastic. XLTs are self-contained, hand-launched signals, while 12-gauge signals have a pistol-style launch and a plastic shell.

In 2008, Orion switched from orange ABS to red-colored, glass-filled polyethylene for its better strength, durability and resistance to moisture. The last XLTs that used orange ABS in the launch tube body expire this month, while the last 12-inch gauge shells using the orange ABS plastic expire in March 2012.

If you have an XLT signal with an orange launch tube that has an expiration date between November 2011 and December 2011, or an orange 12-gauge shell that has an expiration date between November 2011 and March 2012, you are eligible to receive a free, four-pack replacement at no cost.

To obtain a replacement pack, submit the following information by email to customerservice@orionsignals.com,
subject "SIGNAL REPLACEMENT,"
or by mail to Orion Safety Products, Attn. Signal Replacement Program, P.O. Box 1047, Easton, MD, 21601:

§ Name
§ Address
§ Daytime phone number
§ Signal quantity
§ Lot number
§ Expiration date

Customers are also asked to submit a photo of their signals, clearly showing the expiration date and lot number. Do not ship any signals back to Orion.

Replacement packs cannot be shipped to a P.O. Box.
 
Thanks for passing this along, but their information is not terribly helpful - since they stamp the shells with the MFG date, not the EXP date. I would infer, however, that they're presuming a 3-year life, so this would apply to flares manufactured in late 2008 to early 2009. No?

Too bad, I have some orange ones marked Sep 2008. Just missed.
 
Our Orion flares have the expiration date on them - our handheld flares are fine (red plastic), but the 12 gauge flares fall under the recall: they expire in Jan, 2012. Looks like Orion will be taking care of that update.

Thanks for the heads up, Bruce.
 
I e-mailed the info along with a photo to Orion customer service; I quickly received a return e-mail that said they are planning replacement shipments the week of the 19th. Good follow-up so far.

We have carried Orion signals on our boats for years; only fired them off for training (expired flares). One more bit of peace of mind that you hope to not have to use (but good to have).

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
My flares expired September 2011 (just after I passed the CG vessel-safety check at the Ranger Rendezvous) and I'll get four new ones after the first of the year. I am expecting Santa to give me a West Marine gift certificate for Christmas.

But here's a question for the assembled tugnutter masses: What do I do with my expired flares? What's the safest or recommended way of disposing them?

Thanks,

JtheK
 
johnniethek":1ml0lj2p said:
My flares expired September 2011 (just after I passed the CG vessel-safety check at the Ranger Rendezvous) and I'll get four new ones after the first of the year. I am expecting Santa to give me a West Marine gift certificate for Christmas.

But here's a question for the assembled tugnutter masses: What do I do with my expired flares? What's the safest or recommended way of disposing them?

Thanks,

JtheK

Keep them on board the Red Ranger. If you're ever in trouble, fire off the new ones first. Then the old ones. They'll probably work, and may well be the ones that are seen.

Cheers,

Bruce
 
If you don't want to keep them on board, most fire departments will accept them for proper disposal.
However, I would also recommend keeping them on board.
In the event of needing flares you can never have too many.
 
johnniethek":8ojn55ue said:
My flares expired September 2011 (just after I passed the CG vessel-safety check at the Ranger Rendezvous) and I'll get four new ones after the first of the year. I am expecting Santa to give me a West Marine gift certificate for Christmas.

But here's a question for the assembled tugnutter masses: What do I do with my expired flares? What's the safest or recommended way of disposing them?

Thanks,

JtheK

We seem to get boarded by the CG at least once a year (probably has something to do with the fact that we live about 2 1/2 miles from the CG station). The last time we were boarded, one of the CG guys saw my expired flares and asked, "What's that?" When I explained that those were expired flares, he said we should label them "for testing," so there would be no question of which flares to use. I pointed out that all the current flares are in one container, with the flare gun and other signal items. No issue.

If you want to try old flares, you can contact your local CG station and let them know that you intend to set off a flare for "testing purposes." Agree on a time and place, contact them again right before you intend to set off the flare, then make a "securite' call" announcing your intentions and the fact that it is "for testing purposes and NOT an emergency."

Like others, we carry some expired flares onboard, now labeled appropriately.

Happy Holidays,
Jim B.
 
I use expired flares to light off fuel soaked stumps on my farm. Makes quite a show. Since I live about 350 miles from the Coast Guard I usually do not call them.
 
Well, I'm impressed! Orion said the shipments would start going out on the 19th; the flares showed up today, via FedEx. It is great to see a company stand behind their product and back it up with prompt resolution.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Thanks for the good advice, all.
I will label the expired flares "for testing only" and keep them separate from the new flares. Looks like I'll have to pony up real cash to buy the new flares since Santa didn't come through with gift certificate for West Marine.

But I did get gift cards for $30 worth of Apps at the Apple Store. Don't suppose they have an app for flares do they? 🙂🙂

JtK
 
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