Rule 37 — Distress Signals

33 CFR §83.37

§ 83.37 § 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

§ 87.01 § 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…

46 CFR §28.145

§ 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 o…

COLREGs Rule 35

COLREGs Rule 35 — Sound Signals in Restricted Visibility In or near an area of restricted visibility, whether by day or night, the signals prescribed in this Rule shall be used as follows: (a) A power-driven vessel making way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes one prolonged blast. (b) A power-driven vessel underway but stopped and making no way through the water shall sound at intervals of not more than 2 minutes two prolonged blasts in succession with an interval of about 2 seconds between them. (c) A vessel not under command, a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver, a vessel constrained by her draft, a sailing vessel, a vessel engaged in fishing and a vessel engaged in towing or pushing another vessel shall, instead of the signals prescribed in …

COLREGs Rule 36

COLREGs Rule 36 — Signals to Attract Attention If necessary to attract the attention of another vessel, any vessel may make light or sound signals that cannot be mistaken for any signal authorized elsewhere in these Rules, or may direct the beam of her searchlight in the direction of the danger, in such a way as not to embarrass any vessel. Any light to attract the attention of another vessel shall be such that it cannot be mistaken for any aid to navigation. For the purpose of this Rule the use of high intensity intermittent or revolving lights, such as strobe lights, shall be avoided. Relationship to the Inland Rules: Inland Rule 36 differs from this rule — compare against 33 CFR 83.36 before answering a question that turns on which set applies.

COLREGs Rule 37

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 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.