Thanks, Tom. I really wasn't disputing carrying the flares. I was
agreeing with Earnest that it would be best in everyones interest not
to do the cha-cha with barges.


Short Wave Sportfishing wrote:
On 1 Dec 2006 20:17:44 -0800, "Tim" wrote:


Ernest Scribbler wrote:
They aren't required equipment for us river runners. You could maybe try to
use a flare if you find yourself dead in the water mid channel at night with
a barge bearing down, but you're probably a lot better off deliberately
avoiding finding yourself in that position in the first place.

Earnest, Those are my thoughts esxactly. I don't like the idea of
tangling with a barge, and feel it best to steer clear,but .... you
never know.

That kind of thinking is exactly what causes accidents.

Carry the flares Tim - they are cheap enough, don't take up a lot of
room and you'll be that much safer.

"Tim" wrote
Thanks, Tom. I really wasn't disputing carrying the flares. I was
agreeing with Earnest that it would be best in everyones interest not
to do the cha-cha with barges.

I carry some expired flares with me. Never had occasion to use one.

All I was trying to say was that you shouldn't expect flares to serve as
barge repellent. We had an accident near here recently, three guys in a
houseboat, all below decks messing with a dodgy engine when the barge ran
over them. So many ways it could have been avoided.