Boating Safety
VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS
All boats using coastal waters are required to carry USCG approved visual distress signals. Boats UNDER 16′, plus all sailboats UNDER 26′ with completely open construction and without propulsion machinery, plus all manually propelled boats must carry signals visible at NIGHT. All boats 16′ OR MORE must carry signals visible both DAY and NIGHT.
Print Mayday Form Alaska Office of Boating Safety
APPROVED MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Any of the Following |
Device Description |
Accepted For Use |
Number Required |
| Hand-Held Red Flare |
Day & Night |
3 |
| Pistol-Projected Parachute Red Flare |
Day & Night |
3 |
| Handheld Rocket-Propelled Parachute Red Flare |
Day & Night |
3 |
| Aerial Pyrotechnic Red Flare |
Day & Night |
3 |
| Floating Orange Smoke |
Day Only |
3 |
| Handheld Orange Smoke |
Day Only |
3 |
| Orange Flag 3′ x 3′ |
Day Only |
1 |
| All Devices Must Be Coast Guard Approved |
| Other Important Signals |
- A short blast of the whistle should have a duration of about one second. A prolonged blast of the whistle should have a duration of four to six seconds.
- One short blast to mean “I am altering my course to starboard”.
- Two short blasts to mean “I am altering my course to port”.
- Three short blasts to mean “my engines are operating astern propulsion”.
- A power driven vessel making way through the water except when fishing, under sail, towing or being towed, shall in restricted visibility sound one prolonged blast at intervals of not more than 2 minutes.
- A vessel at anchor in restricted visibility shall ring the bell rapidly for about five seconds at intervals of not more than one minute.
- A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, a sailing vessel, a vessel constrained by her draft, a vessel fishing, a vessel engaged in towing or pushing shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes, one prolonged blasts followed by two short blasts.
- Sound 5 short rapid blasts if you fail to understand the intentions of the other vessel.
For a complete set of International and Inland Rules of the Road, please get Coast Guard Navigation Rules COMDTINST M 16672.2A available from:
Government Book Store
Federal Building
915 Second Avenue
Seattle, WA 98174 |
