Maine boaters can drop off expired marine flares this Saturday at Hamilton Marine in Portland. (Credit: Vivian Matuk, California State Parks and California Coastal Commission)
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PORTLAND, Maine, August 23, 2023 — Marine flares are required to be carried aboard recreational boats for emergency signaling. However, because they expire 42 months after manufacture, they need to be replaced about every three seasons of boating.

Now Maine boaters have the opportunity to safely dispose of expired flares at an upcoming marine flare collection event this Saturday.

Location: Hamilton Marine, 197 Presumscot St, Portland, ME 04103

Date: Saturday, August 26, 2023

Time: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

The expired marine flare drop-off event is sponsored by Hamilton Marine, U.S. Coast Guard Casco Bay Flotilla 2-1, Maine State Fire Marshall and Friends of Casco Bay. Those dropping off flares will receive an exclusive safety gear discount coupon provided by Hamilton Marine.

Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the national boating advocacy, services and safety group, is urging its Pine Tree State members and recreational boat owners to take advantage of this opportunity to rid their boats of old, expired flares which are an environmental hazard.

For more information, contact Peter Poulin, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, fsohr21c@uscgauxsoportlandme.com

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Suggested social media post:

Maine boaters: Drop off expired marine flares at Hamilton Marine in Portland, Sat. Aug. 26, from 9 to 1. Hosted by @hamiltonmarineinc & @CascoBayFlotilla  https://bit.ly/3YJVPvl  @BoatUS #PortlandME #marineflares #marineflaredisposal

About Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS):

Celebrating more than 55 years, BoatUS is the nation’s largest advocacy, services and safety group with nearly 800,000 dues-paying members. BoatUS is the boat owners’ voice on Capitol Hill, fighting for their rights. The TowBoatUS® fleet is available 24/7 to assist our members on the water when boats break down or run aground with some 600 vessels and 300-plus locations across North America, bringing our members safely back to the launch ramp, marina or dock. On the road, we are The Boat Owners Auto Club™, helping ensure roadside trailer and tow vehicle breakdowns won’t slow you down. BoatUS offers GEICO boat insurance policies that give boat owners affordable, specialized coverage and the superior service they need. Award-winning BoatUS Magazine is the largest circulation recreational marine publication in the U.S. with engaging content that speaks to the passion for boat ownership, while our 501(c)(3) nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water offers the nation’s only free online boating safety course and many other programs that keep boaters safe and our waters clean. Visit BoatUS.com.