Skip to content

Barrie Power and Sail Squadron hosting flare disposal, boater education day

Event will be held Saturday at Lefroy Harbour Marina in Innisfil

Disposing of expired marine flares has been a dilemma for boaters since police and fire departments stopped accepting them several years ago.

The flares can’t be lit, fired off or disposed of through regular garbage collection, but the Barrie Power and Sail Squadron is holding a special Safety Equipment Education and Flare Disposal Day on Saturday to get rid of the flares in a safe and environmentally responsible fashion.

Reg Shortt, an instructor and registered examiner with the squadron, said improper flare disposal has been a nationwide problem for many years.

“Flares are pyrotechnics, so they are explosive and contain chemicals that can be harmful to the environment,” he said. “They are not allowed to be disposed of in household waste, and, as far as I am aware, hazardous waste depots in municipal landfills won’t (or) can’t accept them, either.”

The Barrie Power and Sail Squadron will host the event on Saturday, June 16 from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m., at Lefroy Harbour Marina, which is located at 727 Harbour St.

“Via flare collection days, expired flares are collected in a safe and organized manner and shipped safely back to the manufacturer, CIL, for proper disposal,” Shortt said.

Boaters can also learn about required safety equipment and they can bring their outdated flares to be properly disposed, free of charge.

“Our event on June 16 is the only one happening in 2018 for the area north of Toronto that encompasses Simcoe County and surrounding areas,” Shortt said. “Anyone who wants to make the drive to Lefroy from whatever location is welcome bring their expired marine flares.”

Shortt said the local squadron has been offering flare disposal for a few years.

“This program was initiated four years ago by the federal government as a three-year pilot project,” he said. “This is the first year beyond the pilot program. The Barrie Squadron has been involved since the beginning.”