The Marine Information Note (MIN) 687 highlights how from 31 December 2022, HM Coastguard will stop offering a voluntary, public-facing flare disposal service to private individuals, who have personal flares to dispose of.
From that date, private individuals will need to use a third-party disposal service to dispose of their personal flares. This note offers guidance to private individuals on how to dispose of their flares and private businesses that may wish to offer a disposal service.
MIN 687 Changes
From 31 December 2022, HM Coastguard will stop offering a voluntary, public-facing flare disposal service to private individuals
From 31 December 2022, HM Coastguard will stop offering a voluntary, public-facing flare disposal service to private individuals, who have personal flares to dispose of.
Both the Department of Transport (DfT) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) have worked with the pleasure vessel sector and sector disposal services, in taking forward a trustworthy and reliable set of solutions that are aimed at providing local solutions for local needs.
Disposal of marine flares
For those who need to dispose of flares, they should look at the list to see if there is a provider based near their location (by boat or by car). If not, they may be able to dispose of their flares at:
- The place from where they bought them
- Local marinas
- Possibly life raft services
- Local authorities
- Waste disposal businesses, some of whom do may already offer a disposal service
Other service providers offer disposal events across the country, usually at popular harbours or marinas. People should not contact HM Coastguard to dispose of their flares, post 31 December 2022.
