Laser ‘flares’ extinguished after AMSA investigation

Handheld laser lights are no substitute for traditional distress signals in a rescue, Australia’s marine safety watchdog has ruled.

The Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) has released a guidance notice stating that “electronic visual distress signals” (EVDS) such as handheld laser lights were not considered suitable replacement for traditional pyrotechnic distress signals.

“To be effective, distress signals need to be recognised,” AMSA said.

“EVDS devices are not compliant with the SOLAS Convention or Australia’s technical performance standards for distress flares. The international carriage requirements do not recognise EVDS and Australia’s national carriage requirements have not been amended to recognise them,” the authority stated.

Further sinking the laser light’s claim as a practical alternative to burning flares were a series of tough real-world tests of the technology.

“Tests conducted in Australia in 2017 indicate that the EVDS was not recognisable as a distress alert when seen. This reinforces that EVDS devices should not be used in place of a pyrotechnic flare.”

It said all distress signals carried on a boat should comply with either Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) or Australian standards.

Under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (the marine equivalent of road rules), boats must carry pyrotechnic flares that are used to signal rescuers.

Flares must be replaced before their expiry dates. It is illegal to carry expired flares, and in NSW, police can hand owners a $100 fine for each flare that is out of date. In other words, the bill can add up quickly when the minimum number of flares a boat must carry is four.

Laser flares work by throwing out a vertical fan of red or green light that, when aimed at a target, will flash as the light passes from side to side of the target. The devices can shoot a signal light to an object up to about 30 kilometres away in clear conditions.

They are small enough to attach to lifejackets, and typically have enough power in the batteries to last for about five hours.

However, AMSA’s notice doesn’t mean that the idea of approving laser flares for use on Australian waters is off the table forever.

“AMSA will continue to monitor the development of EVDS and will consider changes to this guidance notice when the standards and benefits are consistent with pyrotechnic flares,” it said.