Distress Signals
When in distress and requiring assistance, vessels shall use the signals described in Annex IV (red flares, SOS, MAYDAY, etc.).
Rule 37 states that when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance, she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Regulations. Key distress signals include:
- A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute - A continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus - Rockets or shells throwing red stars - The signal SOS by radiotelegraphy or any other signalling method - The spoken word "MAYDAY" by radiotelephony - The International Code Signal of distress: NC - A signal consisting of a square flag with a ball above or below it - Flames on the vessel - A rocket parachute flare or hand flare showing a red light - Orange-coloured smoke - Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side - An EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon) alert
Key Takeaways
Multiple distress signals are recognized internationally
MAYDAY is the spoken distress signal on VHF
SOS is the radiotelegraph distress signal
Red flares and orange smoke are visual distress signals
Common Mistakes
Using distress signals when not actually in distress
Not knowing multiple methods of signalling distress
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