WARETOWN – The Ocean County boat flare disposal program has been rescheduled to Oct. 21.

The free program will take place from 9 a.m. to noon at the Ocean County Training Center, 200 Volunteer Way, here.

"To get the most out of this program, we knew it would be best to reschedule with the inclement weather forecasted for Sept. 23, the original date," said Ocean County Commissioner Barbara Jo Crea, who serves as liaison to the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management. "Thanks to the fast work of the agencies involved, we were able to put together a new date for the program quickly."

Appointments from the postponed September date will still be honored on the new date. Those who still need to register for the program can do so online at the Solid Waste Management homepage: www.co.ocean.nj.us/recycle or by calling (732) 506-5047.

Flares will be accepted from Ocean County residents only. Flares from marinas and businesses will not be accepted. Residents can drop off a maximum of 10 flares.

Materials that will be accepted are Red Hand-held, Parachute, Red Meteor, Orange Smoke Signals, and Floating Orange Smoke flares.

The program will not accept road flares, electronic flares, plastic flare launchers, and other explosives.

The United States Coast Guard requires all boats on intercostal and inland waters to carry a means of distress signaling suitable for night use. Regular flares are sold in packs of four and expire every four years.

"As a County that has many boat owners, this program helps keep the Barnegat Bay and our watershed clean," said the Director of the Ocean County Board of Commissioners Joseph H. Vicari. "By disposing of the flares properly, it will keep them out of the water and help keep our boaters safe."

The program is being overseen by the Ocean County Department of Solid Waste Management, the Ocean County Fire Marshal's Office and the Ocean County Training Center, which houses the Ocean County Fire Academy.

Once collected, Ocean County destroys the old or used flares in a container used for controlled burn at the Ocean County Training Center under the supervision of trained personnel.