Pains Wessex is launching a new compact range of distress flares. The Mark 8 range is complimentary to the existing Mark 7 range which is still available. Designed mainly for use in liferafts, the Mark 8 range is more compact, saving vital space..
All the new Mark 8 products, Handflare, Parachute Red Rocket and Lifesmoke, conform to SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) standards.
Compact for storage on a boat or inside a liferaft, the Mark 8 Handflare features an ergonomically designed grip handle and new telescopic design.
To operate, the user holds the flare by the grip ribbing at the bottom, and extends the telescopic section. A screw top at the ignition end of the flare is removed, and users pull a small ball to ignite the flare. After a two second safety delay, the flare ignites and burns for a minimum of 60 seconds, producing a bright red 15,000 candela light. The handflare is for short range signalling at day or night.
The Mark 8 Parachute Red Rocket is designed to attract attention at long range, firing a 30,000 candela red signal to a minimum of 300 metres altitude. The signal burns for 40 seconds suspended under a parachute.
It has a similar operating system to the Mark 8 Handflare. Users grip where the ribbing indicates at the top of the flare, remove the screw top, and pull a ball to ignite the rocket. A key benefit from this design is reduced recoil - making it easier to fire, even in traumatic situations. The Mark 8 Parachute Red Rocket is designed for day or night use.
The Mark 8 Lifesmoke, for day time use, provides dense orange smoke for a minimum of three minutes. It is used to indicate position and wind direction (a great aid for helicopter pilots) during a search or rescue operation.
To operate the Mark 8 Lifesmoke, the flat, peel-off top cap is removed to access the firing mechanism. Once the friction wire is pulled, there is a two second delay to allow the signal to be thrown into the water safely.
The new Mark 8 range are the first products to combine the expertise in pyrotechnic technology and production available following the recent acquisition of Comet GmbH by Chemring PLC, parent company to Pains Wessex. Pains Wessex has more than 100 years' experience in the design and manufacture of marine distress signals.
For more information visit www.painswessex.com
