visual distress signals

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[center][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#ff0000][size 1]BY: CWO2 JIM KRZENSKI, COMMANDING OFFICER, USCG STA FORT PIERCE[/size][/#ff0000][/font][/center]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][size 2][#000080]The most common method that a mariner uses to notify the Coast Guard that they are in distress is via their marine VHF-FM radio. I strongly encourage all boaters to have a radio on board their vessel, especially if their boating activities take them offshore. During the past year Coast Guard Station Fort Pierce has responded to at least[/#000080][#000080] 75 cases in which the boat and crew were reported overdue. These vessels would have been able to call for and obtain help a lot sooner if they had a radio on board. In one case the vessel with its two occupants were drifting north at four knots in the Gulf Stream. They are very lucky that we were able to locate their speck of a vessel on the vast expanse of the ocean.[/#000080][/size][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]Annex IV of the Coast Guard’s Navigation Rules publication lists many of the additional distress signals that can be used to attract attention. They include a gun fired at intervals of one minute (extreme care must be used when firing weapons), a continuous sounding of a fog signaling apparatus, red flares, SOS morse code, the words Mayday spoken over the radio telephone, the international call letters N.C. (November, Charlie), a visual signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or any thing resembling a ball, flames on a vessel, orange smoke, slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side, emergency positioning indicating radio beacon (EPIRB), in inland waters only a high intensity white light flashing at 50 to 70 times a minute.[/size][/#000080][/font]
[size 2][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]The Coast Guard requires that recreational vessels carry three day and three night visual distress signals. The exceptions to this regulation are powered vessels under 16 feet and open sailing vessels under 26 feet without motors. These two exceptions are required to carry them if operated at night on coastal waters. Coastal waters are defined as:[/#000080][/font] [/size] [ol] [li][size 2][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]The territorial sea (ocean)[/#000080][/font] [/size] [li][size 2][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Great Lakes[/#000080][/font] [/size] [li][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]Bays, or Sounds which empty into (1) and (2) above [/size][/#000080][/font] [li][font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]Rivers over two miles across at their mouths and upstream to where the river narrows to two miles [/size][/#000080][/font][/li][/ol]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]The Coast Guard requires that the three required day night signals be Coast Guard Approved. Table (1) below, provides a list of the required signals, and describes whether they are a pyrotechnic signal and whether they are approved as day, or a day and night signal. The electric distress light must be able to automatically flash the signal SOS, three short, three long, three short.[/size][/#000080][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]At the present time the serviceable life of a pyrotechnic device is rated at 42 months from its date of manufacture. Pyrotechnics beyond this 42 month date should be replaced with new devices. I strongly encourage that you carefully check the expiration date before purchasing pyrotechnics. The disposal of expired pyrotechnic devices should be done in accordance with local county and state hazardous waste regulations, Please check with these local authorities to obtain the correct disposal procedures.[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Table 1: Visual Distress Signals [/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals [/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]CG Approval Number [/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Description [/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Use[/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]160.021
160.022
160.024
160.036
160.037
160.057
160.066 [/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Hand-Held Flare
Floating Orange Smoke
Pistol Parachute Red Flare
Hand-Held Parachute Red Flare
Hand-Held Orange Smoke
Floating Orange Smoke
Red Aerial Pyrotechnic Flare[/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Day/Night
Day Only
Day/Night
Day/Night
Day Only
Day Only
Day/Night[/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080] Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals [/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]160.072
161.013 [/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Orange Flag
Electric Distress Light[/#000080][/font] [font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080]Day Only
Night Only[/#000080][/font] [indent]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]Extreme care should be exercised when using pyrotechnic devices. They burn with an intense heat which can cause severe burns if they are improperly used. Before using be sure to read all manufacturers instructions.[/size][/#000080][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]If you are in the unfortunate situation of being in distress it would not usually be wise to fire off all of your flares at once and then be left with no means of signaling an approaching search vessel. If no one is in sight, fire off one in an attempt to draw attention from someone beyond your line of sight over the horizon. Await a visual response of some kind i.e., an approaching vessels lights. As the vessel approaches your vicinity fire off another signal, thereby, assisting the vessel to zero in on your position. It is not uncommon for the Coast Guard search vessel to energize the law enforcement blue light in an attempt to draw a flare from the vessel or people that are in distress. Therefore, if you are in distress and see the flashing blue light in the distance you may want to signal the Coast Guard search vessel with a flare.[/size][/#000080][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]If you are a boater who observes a flare, your knowledge of specific information that the Coast Guard needs to respond may save a life. The first thing we need to know is your position. Latitude and longitude is preferred, but we can work with a geographic position if that is all that is available. Next we would like to obtain a magnetic bearing from your vessel. You can obtain this by looking over the top of your vessels compass toward the direction of the flare. You may be able to just point your vessel in that direction and read the compass. With your information and that of another reporting source we will be able to cross the bearings and obtain an estimated position in which to center our search efforts[/size][/#000080][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]Often there is only one reporting source with a position and magnetic bearing, in this case we need to obtain the angle which the flare rose above the horizon from your position. The simplest way for you to determine this is by stretching your hand out in front of you and making a fist. Line the bottom of your fist up with the horizon. Each finger in your fist is equal to about two degrees when compared with the horizon. All we need to know is how many fingers the flare rose above the horizon. We will also request to know if the flare rose and fell at an equal speed (meteor flare) or rose quickly and descended slowly (parachute flare). This description will help us determine the elevation that the flare rose. With all of this information we can now estimate how far the flare was fired from your position and support our efforts to narrow down the ocean to a more manageable search area so that we can quickly locate those in distress,[/size][/#000080][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]To learn more complete a USCG Auxiliary Boating Skills and Seamanship Course. Also, I encourage that you have your local Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla conduct a free courtesy marine examination of your vessel. For answers to these and many more questions please call the Coast Guard's Boating Safety Hotline at 1-800-368-5647.[/size][/#000080][/font]
[font "Verdana, Arial, Geneva"][#000080][size 2]For more information on distress signals, see [/size][/#000080][url "http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/distress.htm"][size 2]Graphic Chart of Distress Signals[/size][/url][#000080][size 2]. Also, see [/size][/#000080][url "http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/boating/4_2_e.htm#vdsigs"][size 2]Visual Distress Signals[/size][/url][#000080][size 2] in the Basic Boating Course.[/size][/#000080][/font][/indent]
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[indent][font "Arial"][#000080]Rule 37 in the Rules of the Road states:[/#000080][/font][/indent] [indent]
[font "Arial"][#000080]"When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these regulations." [/#000080][/font][/indent] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Red Star
Shells[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Fog Horn
Continuous
Soundings
[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Flames on
A Vessel[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Gun Fired at Intervals of One Minute[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Orange
Background
Black Ball &
Square
[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]SOS[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]"Mayday"
by Radio[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Parachute
Red Flare[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Dye Marker
(any color)[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Code Flags
November
Charlie
[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Square Flag
and Ball[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Wave
Arms[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Radio-
Telegraph
Alarm[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Radio-
Telephone
Alarm[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Epirb[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Smoke[/size][/#000080][/font] [center][font "Arial"][#000080][size 3]Distress signal used
only on inland waters:[/size][/#000080][/font][/center] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 3][/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2]A high intensity white light
flashing at regular intervals
from 50 to 70 times per minute[/size][/#000080][/font] [center][font "Arial"][#000080]Annex IV - Distress Signals further states:[/#000080][/font][/center] [#000080][size 4]--[/size][/#000080][font "Arial"][#000080][size 4] International --[/size][/#000080][/font][#000080] [/#000080] [#000080][size 4]--[/size][/#000080][font "Arial"][#000080][size 4] Inland --[/size][/#000080][/font][#000080] [/#000080] [font "Arial"][#000080]1. Need of assistance[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]§ 87.1 Need of assistance[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]The following signals, used or exhibited together or separately, indicate distress and need of assistance.[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080](a) a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute;[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080](b) a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus;[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]© rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals;[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080](d) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signaling method consisting of the group [size 3]... - - - ... [/size][size 2](SOS) in the Morse Code;[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](e) a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word "Mayday";[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](f) the International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C. (November, Charlie);[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](g) a signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball;[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](h) flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.);[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](i) a rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light;[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](j) a smoke signal giving off orange-colored smoke;[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](k) slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side;[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](l) the radiotelegraph alarm signal;[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](m) the radiotelephone alarm signal;[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](n) signals transmitted by emergency position-indicating rado beacons;[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](o) approved signals transmitted by radiocommunication systems.[/size][/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080][size 2](p) A high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 to 70 times per minute.[/size][/#000080][/font] [#000080][size 3]--[/size][/#000080][font "Arial"][#000080][size 3] International --[/size] (continued)[/#000080][/font] [#000080][size 3]--[/size][/#000080][size 3][font "Arial"][#000080] Inland --[/#000080][/font][/size][#000080] [/#000080][font "Arial"][#000080](continued)[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]2. The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance and the use of other signals which may be with any of the above signals is prohibited.[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]§ 87.3 Exclusive Use.[/#000080][/font][font "Times New Roman"][#000080]
[/#000080][/font][font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]3. Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the International Code of Signals, the Merchant Ship Search and Rescue Manual and the following signals:
---(a) a piece of orange-colored canvas with either a black square and circle or other appropriate symbol (for identificaton from the air);
---(b) a dye marker.[/#000080][/font] [font "Arial"][#000080]§ 87.5 Supplemental signals.[/#000080][/font][font "Times New Roman"][#000080]
[/#000080][/font][font "Arial"][#000080]Same as International except reference is make also to the relevant sections of the International Telecommunication Union Regulations.[/#000080][/font] [indent] [left][font "Arial"]Related Articles:
[/font][font "Verdana, Arial, Helvetica"][url "http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/020198tip.htm"][size 2]Distress Signals[/size][/url]
by Chief Warrant Officer Jim Krzenski Commanding Officer, U.S.C.G. Station Fort Pierce, FL[/font][/left][/indent]
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