[Cicero]

Bureaucratic inertia. Everything goes by the book.

I’ve been boating for more than 60 years. I’ve always kept a packet of emergency flares on board, because the Coast Guard requires it. I’ve never used them, and I don’t know anyone who ever used them. I would imagine that they are more of a danger than a help, since I’ve known kids to sometimes get hold of them and treat them like fireworks.

But I’ve religiously kept them on board, because I don’t want to be fined or deprived of the right to drive a boat.

[GAB-1955]

And I've seen situations as an Auxiliarist where people needed flares, and needed the correct number of life jackets. The regulations aren't there to annoy you; they're to make sure if things go wrong, you can help yourself.