Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make it his policy to accredit the use of electronic flares for maritime use.

The Maritime & Coastguard Agency’s (MCA) publication Marine Information Notice (MIN) 542 (M+F), last updated on 14 April 2022, gives notice of our current policy on recognised distress signals and advertised alternatives to pyrotechnic flares. We have no current plans to replace the requirements for pyrotechnic flares for non-pyrotechnic alternatives, such as Electronic Visual Distress Systems (EVDS).

The MCA remains engaged with the international developments in all aspects of safety at sea through the International Maritime Organisation and will engage with and encourage any potential developments which show promise as suitable alternatives to pyrotechnic flares.