Pyrotechnics
Rocket Parachute Flares
Rocket Parachute Flares is a group of 11 IMPA-coded items (codes 330311–331361) under Pyrotechnics in the Safety Equipment section (IMPA 33). They are priced per set (6) and per piece (5).
Buying guide
Rocket parachute flares are hand-held distress rockets that climb at least 300 m and hang a bright red flare under a parachute. A ship keeps a stock of them on or near the navigating bridge; liferafts and lifeboats carry their own in their equipment.[1][2]
The master or chief officer orders them when the bridge stock approaches its expiry date, which is printed on each flare, or after flares have been used. Expired flares need a disposal route, so the order often goes with a request to take the old ones back.
How to specify it
State the quantity and whether the IMPA code is per piece or per set (several codes here are sets of 2, 4 or 6), the approval required (MED wheel mark or USCG approval series 160.136 for US-flag ships) and ask for the expiry date of the batch on the quotation, so that two bids with different remaining shelf life are not compared as equal.[2]
Say whether the flares are for the bridge stock or for a survival-craft pack; the item is the same type but a liferaft service station may supply pack items. Flares are dangerous goods, so tell the supplier the port and date of delivery early, and ask whether they will take back expired flares.
Rules and certificates
Under the LSA Code (as adopted in MSC.48(66)) the rocket must reach at least 300 m when fired vertically and eject a parachute flare that burns bright red with an average luminous intensity of at least 30,000 cd, for at least 40 s, descending at no more than 5 m/s; the casing must be water-resistant, carry printed instructions and have integral ignition.[1]
US rules (46 CFR 199.60) require not less than 12 rocket parachute flares approved under series 160.136, stowed on or near the navigating bridge.[2]
The LSA Code lists four rocket parachute flares in the normal equipment of each liferaft and each lifeboat; these are in addition to the bridge stock.[1]
Questions buyers ask
- How many rocket parachute flares does the bridge need?
- At least 12, stowed on or near the navigating bridge, as stated in 46 CFR 199.60. Flag rules may add to this, and survival craft carry their own.
- Can expired flares be kept as extras?
- They do not count towards the required stock. Order replacements before the printed expiry and arrange disposal of the old ones with the supplier or the port.
Sources
Published by Sherif Awad, founder of GeoMarineHub — in ship supply since 1990, a family business since 1981 (45 years). Last checked .
At a glance
Part of Safety Equipment (IMPA section 33): Life-saving and fire-fighting equipment — extinguishers, breathing apparatus, lifejackets, detectors, pyrotechnics.
It is one of 15 groups under Pyrotechnics; the others include Buoyant Smoke Signals, Hand Flares, Lifebuoy Self-activating Smoke Signals, Lifebuoy Self-igniting Lights, Line Throwing Apparatuses and 9 more.
Post the ones you need as a requirement and verified suppliers activated at your port bid on them — sealed, so nobody sees another bid.
- Items
- 11
- IMPA codes
- 330311–331361
- Priced
- per set · per piece
Items
Also under Pyrotechnics
- Buoyant Smoke Signals
- Hand Flares
- Lifebuoy Self-activating Smoke Signals
- Lifebuoy Self-igniting Lights
- Line Throwing Apparatuses
- Line Throwing Appliance Electric Ignition Type
- Manoverboards
- Pneumatic Line Thrower Rescue 230
- Rocket Star Signals
- Ship's Bridge Distress Kits
- Ship's Lifeboat/Liferaft Distress Kits
- Spare Kits for Comet Linethrower 250
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