Hunter MH37 - Distress Signals

Boating Safety
4.12
Evacuate all occupied enclosures immediately. If
practical, evacuate the boat.
Do not run the blower.
Do not open the engine compartment. Allow the
halon fire extinguisher to soak the compartment for
at least fifteen minutes.
Wait for hot metals and fuels to cool before inspecting
for damage or cause of fire.
Open engine compartment slowly. Have approved
portable fire extinguisher at hand and ready for use.
Do not breathe fumes or vapors caused by fire. HALON
FUMES ARE TOXIC!
DA N G E R
! !
Flash fire erupting from the engine compartment can
burn you. Opening the engine compartment access
panels will feed oxygen to the fire and cause the fire
to flash back. Keep engine compartment access
panels closed for at least 15 minutes after fire extin-
guisher discharges.
Frequently check the extinguisher's green section of the
pressure gauge and ensure the pressure indicator is in
the normal range.
C AU T I O N
! !
In the event of an automatic extinguisher discharge,
do not open the engine compartment access panels.
The protected space must be kept closed for at least
15 minutes to allow the fire to be fully extinguished
•
•
•
•
•
and surfaces cooled sufficiently to prevent reflash.
NOTE: Consult the automatic fire extinguisher system manu-
facturer’s OEM manual for specifics on system operation and
maintenance.
4.6 Distress Signals
4.6.1 Mayday
If you have a VHF radio, heed storm warnings and
answer any distress calls from other boats. The word
“MAYDAY” spoken three times is the international signal
of distress. Monitor marine radio channel 16, which is
reserved for emergency and safety messages. You can
also use this channel to contact the Coast Guard or other
boaters if you have trouble.
NOTE: Never send a “MAYDAY” message unless there is a
serious emergency and you are in need of immediate assis-
tance.
4.6.2 Visual Distress Signals
The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all boats operat-
ing in U.S. Coastal Waters have visual distress signal
equipment on board. In general, coastal waters include
all waters except rivers, streams, and inland lakes. The
Great Lakes are considered coastal waters, as is a river
mouth more than two miles wide. Boats owned in the
United States and operating on the high seas must also
carry visual distress signal equipment. Boats owned in
the United States or non-U.S. owned boats operating
in home waters of other countries must comply with the
Vessel
Notes Lights Less than 12 meters (39ft.) 12 (39ft.) meters to less
than 20 (65 ft.) meters
Power
This
includes sail-
ing vessels
under power
and motor
sailing
White Masthead Light 2 NM (3.7 km) see note 3 NM (5.6 km)
Sidelights or combination lights 1 NM (1.9 km) 2 NM (3.7 km)
sternlight 2 NM (3.7 km) see note 2 NM (3.7 km)
Sail
Sailing
Vessels
under sail
alone
Sidelights or combination
lights
1 NM (1.9 km) 2 NM (3.7 km)
sternlight 2 NM (3.7 km) see note 2 NM (3.7 km)
Figure 4.2
LIGHTING REQUIREMENTS