Rule 37 — Distress Signals

33 CFR §83.37

Distress signals (Rule 37). When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Rules (33 CFR part 87).

33 CFR §87.01

Need of assistance. The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate distress and need of assistance: (a) A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute; (b) A continuous sounding with any fog-signaling apparatus; (c) Rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals; (d) A signal made by any method consisting of the group . . . - - - . . . (SOS) in the Morse Code; (e) A signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word “Mayday”; (f) The International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C.; (g) A signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball; (h) Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.); (i) A rocket parachut…

46 CFR §28.145

Distress signals. Except as provided by 28.305, each vessel must be equipped with the distress signals specified in table 28.145. Table 28.145—Distress Signals Area | Devices required Ocean, more than 50 miles from coastline | 3 parachute flares, approval series 160.136; plus 6 hand flares, approval series 160.121; plus 3 smoke signals, approval series 160.122. Ocean, 3-50 miles from the coastline; or more than 3 miles from the coastline on the Great Lakes | 3 parachute flares, approval series 160.136, or 160.036; plus 6 hand flares, approval series 160.121 or 160.021; plus 3 smoke signals, approval series 160.122, 160.022, or 160.037. Coastal waters, excluding the Great Lakes; or within 3 miles of the coastline on the Great Lakes | Night visual distress signals consisting of one ele…

COLREGs Rule 37

Distress Signals When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Regulations. DISTRESS SIGNALS 72 COLREGS Exemptions PART E—EXEMPTIONS Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 37 differs from this rule — compare against 33 CFR 83.37 before answering a question that turns on which set applies.

COLREGs Rule 38(k)

Exemptions ‡ (k) The forward anchor light prescribed in Rule 30(a)(i), when two are carried, shall not be less than 4.5 meters above the after one. On a vessel of 50 meters or more in length this forward anchor light shall be placed at a height of not less than 6 meters above the hull. Annex I—CONTINUED 3. Horizontal positioning and spacing of lights (a) When two masthead lights are prescribed for a power-driven vessel, the horizontal distance between them shall not be less than one half of the length of the vessel but need not be more than 100 meters. The forward light shall be placed not more than one quarter of the length of the vessel from the stem. (b) On a power-driven vessel of 20 meters or more in length the sidelights shall not be placed in front of the forward masthead lights. T…

COLREGs Rule 38(l)

Exemptions ‡ (l) a distress alert by means of digital selective calling (DSC) transmitted on: (i) VHF channel 70, or (ii) MF/HF on the frequencies 2187.5 kHz ‡, 8414.5 kHz, 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz or 16804.5 kHz; Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 38 differs from this rule — compare against 33 CFR 83.38 before answering a question that turns on which set applies.