A Visual Distress Signal (VDS) is any device you can use to help others locate your boat quickly in the case of an emergency. Visual distress signals include
day signals that are visible in sunlight, night signals that are visible in the dark
, and anytime signals that can be used both day and night.
What is the purpose of a visual distress signal?
A visual distress signal (VDS) is
any device designed to show that your boat is in distress and help others locate you
. A wide variety of signaling devices, both pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic, can be carried to meet the requirements of the regulation. Visual distress signals may only be used in emergency situations.
What is a common feature of all distress signals?
An other common feature of distress flares is that
they are valid four years from the date of manufacture
, which is stamped on every flare. Ask the manufacturer how to dispose of your outdated flares. Visual signals are not required for boats up to 6m and for human-powered boats.
What meets visual signal requirements on a boat?
Most pleasure craft must carry visual signals. … Pleasure craft 6 metres (19.7 feet) or less in length and equipped with a motor must have: 3 type A, B*, or C flares or…
A watertight flashlight
.
Where are visual distress signals required?
This regulation requires all boats when used on
coastal waters
, which includes the Great Lakes, the territorial seas and those waters directly connected to the Great Lakes and the territorial seas, up to a point where the waters are less than two miles wide, and boats owned in the United States when operating on the …
What are the 3 types of visual distress signals?
Visual distress signals include day signals that are visible in sunlight,
night signals that are visible in the dark
, and anytime signals that can be used both day and night.
What does a distress signal look like?
A distress signal can be three fires or piles of rocks in a triangle,
three blasts on a whistle
, three shots from a firearm, or three flashes of a light, in succession followed by a one-minute pause and repeated until a response is received. Three blasts or flashes is the appropriate response.
Which distress signal is acceptable for daylight use only?
Floating and
handheld red-smoke flares
are approved for daytime use only. Red flares, whether handheld or aerial, are for daytime and nighttime uses. The notable difference among them is the distance from which they are visible to a rescuer at sea level.
What do you do if you see a distress flare?
If you see a flare,
contact the Water Police or phone 000
to report it. Flares should always be readily accessible: stored in a waterproof container (marked with the registration number of your boat);
What should you do if you see a distress signal but Cannot offer assistance?
So, if you see an accident, or a distress signal, you need to render assistance any way you can, as long as you can do so without endangering yourself, your passengers or your vessel. If you cannot help out safely,
make sure to notify another boater who can as quickly as possible
; and also notify the authorities.
What boat types are not required to carry daytime visual distress signals?
- Boats less than 16 feet in length.
- Boats participating in regattas and other organized events.
- Open sailboats under 26 feet in length that are not equipped with an engine.
- Manually propelled boats like canoes and kayaks.
Are flares required on boats?
You are required to
carry flares if operating on any ocean
or if operating on a waterway where you may be further than 1 nautical mile from shore. You are not required to carry flares if you are operating on a river, canal or lake on which at no time your boat can be more than 1 nautical mile from shore.
What is the first thing you do in a boating accident?
An operator involved in a boating accident must:
Stop his or her vessel immediately at the scene of the accident
and… Assist anyone injured or in danger from the accident, unless doing so would seriously endanger his or her own vessel or passengers and…
How many visual distress signals are there?
If pyrotechnic devices are selected,
a minimum of three must be
carried. Any combination can be carried as long as they add up to three signals for day use and three signals for night use.
Are LED flares Coast Guard approved?
Of the four LED lights, only the white Sirius Signal SOS Distress Light, manufactured by Weems & Plath,
is Coast Guard compliant
. Simply put, this is the only device (electronic or otherwise) that can take the place of pyrotechnic flares. … This device flashes a steady white SOS signal for hours.
What size boat needs a flare gun?
Federal requirements are as follows: For
boats under 16′ in length
: Distress signals are only required when operating between sunset and sunrise. If operating at night, one electric distress light or three combination day/night red flares are required.
