Today’s topic is Pyrotechnics, or the fireworks that we have in the lifeboats. I never thought that it would be an interesting topic but I am starting to find out that the crew, especially the non- nautical crew, find it fascinating. Although pyrotechnics are in general deeply frowned upon on board and if used they are very strictly regulated. Holland America used to have them for a while in the show lounge but currently the shows that we feature do not have that aspect in them anymore.
That leaves the pyrotechnics that we still have, only in the lifeboats for lifesaving. Ever since pyrotechnics could be constructed in such a way that they could be used safely and simply and could survive the climatic conditions at sea we have them in the lifeboats. Ready for us, nicely stowed away in a waterproof /plastic drum. Solas specifies what we should have on board and that comprises out of 4 parachute flares, 6 hand flares and 2 smoke bombs. The flares can be used during day and night, although night is better of course but the smoke bombs are for day use only. All the three items are meant to attract attention: when in the water and help is nearby.
Some of you might have seen the movie Captain Philips and there is a scene where he is also shooting off flares from the bridge wing. During day time if I recall correctly and thus less effective than during the night but it worked. If I would have been him, I would have aimed the flares into the boat of the pirates; the effect would have been quite spectacular.
As pyrotechnics are dangerous in principle, and what we have on board, is the real stuff, much time and care goes into training the lifeboat crews in how to use them safely if and when needed. Each training always starts with the Mantra; read the instructions. Whatever we have in the lifeboats it comes with clear and detailed instructions. Partly to remind a crewmember what he/she has learned in the past, partly as different ships can have different equipment in the lifeboats. Each pyrotechnic comes with a series of pictograms so basic that whether you come from the USA, Holland, Russia, China or Timboektoe, you will be able to understand how to operate the thing safely.
Most of the training then revolves on when to use them. There have been instances in the past, when pyrotechnics were shot off, when help was already there; and helicopter pilots do not like it very much when somebody sets of a rocket flare right under them. Also in that particular case they did not like it very much. The person concerned had forgotten that small word in the sentence: when help is nearby, that is different to when help is already there. So the basic rule, make sure that you are standing on the outside the lifeboat, check if nothing is nearby or above you, aim away from you, look away and then pull. The rocket flare goes about 1000 feet in the sky and gives off a very bright red light. Then it slowly descends back to earth, brightly burning so there is maximum time for anybody who might be in the neighborhood to see it.
Hand flares burn the same way but are there to be waved with, to direct a rescue team towards you.
My greatest scare is the smoke bomb. These give off a bright orange color smoke-cloud while it floats in the water. The problem is that the stuff used for this orange smoke is very messy. It clings to everything and if you inhale it or get it in your eyes then you are not a happy camper.
Thus the mantra is drilled in: Always be sure to have the wind in the back, following wind, pull the plug and then throw the can as far away from you as possible, as shown by the pictograms. For about 3 minutes a large cloud of orange smoke issues from the canister and a wise lifeboat commander tries to get his boat at a safe distance from the smoke while is still billowing out or hanging above the water.
The pyrotechnics are for saving life at sea, and the important fact is to ensure that the life of the user is not endangered either and stays safe while handling them.
Leave a Reply