1-13
Safety On Board
All in all, each distress signal has certain pros and cons. There is
no distress signal that is best under all situations. Pyrotechnics are
recognized worldwide as superior distress signals. A downfall is they
emit a very hot fl ame that can cause burns and or ignite fl ammable
materials. Pistol launched and hand-held parachute fl ares operate
consistent with fi rearms and therefore must be carefully handled.
Check with local and state regulations since some of these device are
considered fi rearms and are prohibited.
Non-Pyrotechnic Devices
Non-pyrotechnic devices must all be in serviceable condition, readily
accessible, and must be certifi ed by the manufacturer to comply with
Coast Guard standards. They include:
Orange distress fl ag.
Electric distress fl ag.
The distress fl ag is for day use only. It must be 3 x 3 or larger with a
black square and ball on an orange background. It can be spotted when
attached to a boat hook, long fi shing rod, or paddle with the person
waving the fl ag back and forth overhead.
The electric distress fl ag is for night use only fl ashing the international
SOS distress signal (..._ _ _ ...).
Under Inland Navigation Rules, a high intensity white light that fl ashes
at regular intervals from 50-70 times per minute is considered a distress
signal.
Remember that regulations prohibit the display of visual distress
signals on the water under any circumstances except when assistance
is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to passengers
on a vessel.
To Next Page
Loading...
