Orion Flare Launcher Recall Reminder

All examiners should be checking every flare gun to assure it will open and close smoothly to be able to insert a flare cartridge. Do NOT insert a cartridge! The defective ones will have a warped barrel, will not latch and will be easy to spot. For those that don’t remember or weren’t around, for your reference

I’m posting the recall as written in BOAT/US from summer 2001: “A defective opening mechanism in some 12-gauge plastic flare guns manufactured by Olin (now Orion Safety Products) prior to 2000 may not open wide enough to accept a flare cartridge. Guns with a modification to correct the possible problem are marked with U.S. Coast Guard approval code 160 028//12/1.

Boaters with older flare guns should check the operation of the opening mechanism now and at the start of each boating season. If the breech will not open wide enough to accept a cartridge, the gun should be sent back for a replacement.” Send defective guns to:

ORION SAFETY PRODUCTS, MARINE DIVISION

3157N. 500W, PERU, IN 46970           1-800-851-5260

A question recently surfaced about: As vessel examiners are we able to participate in the Zebra/Quagga mussel inspection program? The answer is...it depends. If you are simply educating the public on the Quagga and Zebra issues while acting as an Auxiliarist and doing a vessel safety check, no problem. Any type of "inspection" that would support a law enforcement type of activity is out of the question. If an Auxiliarist is in uniform (or Polo Shirt) and wants to be trained to perform some kind of "official inspection" on a citizen's boat, that would not be authorized.

The VSC is an examination of specific safety equipment that is mandated by federal, state and possibly local law. The VSC decal is then awarded for meeting these requirements. As with the CO decal, the mussel inspection program is NOT part of the VSC. The VSC decal will not be withheld if the vessel it has not received or passed a Zebra/Quagga mussel inspection, which may vary, from region or government entity. This opinion is in complete concurrence with Pete Urgola DC-V and DCO Vic Connell. If there are any questions regarding the policy, please don’t hesitate to contact me.   Mike Lauro DSO-VE