Specifications

18 19
LaunchersmanufacturedbeforeJanuary1,1981,andintendedfor
usewithapprovedsignals,arenotrequiredtobeUSCoastGuard-
approvedaslongastheyremaininserviceablecondition
Ifpyrotechnicdevicesareselected,aminimumofthreesignalsare
requiredfordayuseandthreesignalsfornightuseSomepyrotechnic
signalsmeetbothdayandnightuserequirements(combinationflares) 
Pyrotechnicdevicesshouldbestoredinacool,dryplace,ifpossible
Awatertightcontainerpaintedredororangeandprominentlymarked
“DISTRESSSIGNALS”or“FLARES”isrecommended
USCoastGuard-approvedpyrotechnicvisualdistresssignalsand
associateddevicesinclude:
• Pyrotechnicredflares,hand-heldoraerial(day/nightuse)
• Pyrotechnicorangesmoke,hand-heldorfloating(dayuse)
• Launchersforaerialredmeteorsorparachuteflares
Eachofthesedeviceshasadifferentoperating/burningtimeCheckthe
labeltoseehowlongeachpyrotechnicdevicewillremainilluminated
Chooseadevicebestsuitedtotheconditionsintheareawhereyour
vesselistypicallyused

Non-pyrotechnicvisualdistresssignalsmustbeinserviceablecondi-
tion,readilyaccessible,andcertifiedbythemanufacturerascomplying
withUSCoastGuardrequirementsThesesignalsinclude:

• Usedasadaysignalonly
• Mustbeatleast3x3feetwith
ablacksquareandballonan
orangebackground
• Mustbemarkedwithanindication
thatitmeetsUSCoastGuard
requirementsin46CFR160072
• Mostvisiblewhenattachedand
wavedonapaddleorboathook,orflownfromamast
• Maybeincorporatedintodevicesdesignedtoattractattentionin
anemergency,suchasballoons,kites,orfloatingstreamer

• Acceptablefornightuseonly
• Automaticallyflashesthe
internationalSOSdistresssignal
(•••–––•••)
• Mustbemarkedwithanindica-
tionthatitmeetsUSCoastGuardrequirementsin
46CFR161013
UnderInlandNavigationRules,ahigh-intensitywhitelightflashingat
regularintervalsfrom50-70timesperminuteisconsideredadistress
signalSuchdevices,however,meettheVisualDistressSignal
carriagerequirement
Regulationsprohibitdisplayofvisualdistresssignalsonthewater
underanycircumstances,exceptwhereassistanceisneededbecause
ofimmediateorpotentialdangertopersonsonboardavessel
AlldistresssignalshavedistinctadvantagesanddisadvantagesNo
singledeviceisidealunderallconditionsorsuitableforallpurposes
Pyrotechnics
areuniversallyrecognizedasexcellentdistresssignals,
butthereispotentialforinjuryandpropertydamageifnothandled
properlyThesedevicesproduceaveryhotflamewiththepotentialto
causeburnsandigniteflammablematerials
Pistol-launchedandhand-heldparachuteflaresandmeteorshavemany
characteristicsofafirearmandmustbehandledwithextremecaution
InsomestatesandCanadatheymaybeconsideredafirearmand
prohibitedfromuseBesuretocheckwithyourstateboatingagency

Orange Flag (day only)
Electric Distress Signals
(night only)