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USCG Exam Practice · Visual distress signals — flares, smoke, hand-held

Distress flares carried aboard a T-boat to meet 46 CFR §180.68 must be stowed in a portable watertight container. Under 46 CFR §185.614, what are the marking requirements for that container?

  1. AThe container must be red and marked 'FLARES' in letters at least 25.4 mm (1 inch) high
  2. BThe container must be of a bright color and marked 'DISTRESS SIGNALS' in legible contrasting letters at least 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) high✓ correct
  3. CThe container must be orange and marked 'EMERGENCY' in letters at least 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) high
  4. DThe container must be of a bright color and marked 'DISTRESS SIGNALS' in legible contrasting letters at least 25.4 mm (1 inch) high

Why B is correct

46 CFR §185.614 requires portable watertight containers for distress flares and smoke signals to be of a bright color and clearly marked 'DISTRESS SIGNALS' in legible contrasting letters at least 12.7 millimeters (0.5 inches) high. The regulation does not specify a particular color such as red or orange, and the minimum letter height is 12.7 mm, not 25.4 mm.

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Distress flares carried aboard a T-boat to meet 46 CFR §180.68 must… — USCG Exam Practice · CaptainsGround