Boating - Standard Marine Distress Signals

Standard Marine Distress Signals

If you see a distress signal, you are required by law to determine whether you can assist those in distress without endangering your own life or safety of your vessel. Where possible, you must also contact the nearest Rescue Coordination Center to inform them of the type and location of the distress signal you have seen.

Knowing the following distress signals will help you call for help in an emergency and recognize those in trouble.

Not only is it against the law to make a false distress signal, but false alarms commit search and rescue personnel making them potentially unavailable or further away from real emergencies.

Marine Radio Distress Call Use 2182 kHz (MF) or channel 16, 156.8 MHz (VHF) DSC alert, channel 70 (only for DSC type radios and where the service is offered.) Calling Procedures Mayday, Mayday, Mayday — Immediate danger for persons OR ship Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan — Urgent message concerning safety of a person or ship Give vessel name and call sign State position of vessel Describe nature of emergency

Distress Cloth To attract attention, spread on cabin or deck top, or fly from mast. Arm Signal Raise and lower outstretched arms repeatedly. Sound Signals Continuous sounding with any fog-signaling apparatus. Gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute.

Code Flag

Dye Marker Flashlight

Radio beacon (EPIRB)

Flares