Pains Wessex collects over 3,500 unsafe pyrotechnics

Pains Wessex, a UK-based producer of pyrotechnic marine rescue distress signals, says it has received over 3,500 expired pyrotechnics and raised over £2,000 during its recent flare amnesty days.

In collaboration with its UK leisure distributor, Lalizas, the company hosted a series of flare amnesty days across the south coast, in Penryn, Southampton and Poole, which the company says highlighted the need for a new standard of flare disposal in the UK.

Pains Wessex, part of Wescom Group, offered boaters the opportunity to safely and responsibly dispose of their out-of-date flares, as well as restock safety equipment at a discounted price in return for their out-of-date pyrotechnics.

Those who attended the flare amnesty days were invited to make a charitable donation for their disposals. Over the three events, 3,587 expired items were collected, and £2,263.93 was raised. This money was donated to local charities. In Penryn, funds were split equally between the local RNLI station, Cornwall Air Ambulance and Southwest First Responders. In Poole and Southampton, funds were split equally between the Jubilee Sailing Trust, RNLI, Wetwheels Foundation and Sail2Help.

Ally Ogg, sales executive, comments: “Our three events this year have been a great success. To safely dispose of so many items and raise so much for the charities has been a fantastic effort and much appreciated by those we are supporting. These amnesty days have also been a great opportunity to speak to, and help inform, boaters of the benefits of pyrotechnic flares to allow them to make an informed safety equipment decision and to purchase new kits on the day.”

To further educate boaters, Pains Wessex has developed this animated video, dispelling misinformation about flares: