Although the vast majority of boat excursions take place without any kind of obstacle or hitch, when you are out in the open water it is absolutely vital that you operate with the utmost safety and are clued up on all the various ways that you are able to display your distress and signal for potential assistance. It goes without saying that visual distress signals should only be deployed in cases of genuine emergency, but if you ever find yourself in such a situation, it is essential to keep calm and know what to do. Please familiarize yourself with the various visual distress signals for boats.
What Are Distress Signals?
Distress signals are devices that are designed to draw visual and sometimes audio attention to a boat that is in trouble. According to USCG regulations, vessel owners are prohibited from displaying any types of distress signal except for when there is a real, genuine threat to health and safety. In addition to this, distress signals should only be deployed when there is help close enough to actually be able to see the signal. For these purposes, the USCG recognizes both non pyrotechnic and pyrotechnic devices for the job.
What Distress Signals Should People Have?
In general, it is recommended that boat owners have a combination of different signals in their possession in the case of different circumstances. These include three hand held red flares that could be for both day and night, one handheld red flare and two red meteors for both day and night, one handheld orange smoke signal for the day, two floating orange smoke signals for the day, and one electric light for the night only.
What Are Sound Signaling Devices?
Along with the visual distress signals, there are also a number of audio signals that can be used. For vessels less than 40 feet in length, this will be in the form of a whistle or horn, for between 40 and 65 feet, a whistle, and for 65 feet or more, a whistle and a bell.
Where To Store Distress Signal Devices
It goes without saying that all signaling devices must always be in a serviceable condition, and stowed away in a place that is both readily accessible and free from the interference of external conditions. They also need to be marked with a date showing their serviceable lifespan. It is essential to be in possession of signals that have not expired, and things like flares and meteor rockets usually have an expiration date of around 42 months after manufacture.
If you need assistance with more than just a knowledge refresh on visual distress signals for boats, then a good place to visit is the US Vessel Documentation Center website. There, you will find plenty of information about all of the different rules and regulations that are currently in place for vessel ownership. It is really important to make sure that everything you do is above board in this department, so don’t leave any questions unanswered!
