DISTRESS SIGNALS

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DISTRESS SIGNALS
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Distress Signals
ANNEX IV of the International Regulations for
Preventing Collision at Sea contains details of
the International Distress Signals
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Distress Signals
a) a gun or other explosive signal fired at
intervals of about a minute
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Distress Signals
(b) a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling
apparatus
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Distress Signals
(c) rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired
one at a time at short intervals
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2 Star Red Rocket
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Distress Signals
(d) a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any
other signalling method consisting of the group
...---... (SOS) in the Morse Code
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Distress Signals
(e) a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of
the spoken word "Mayday"
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Distress Signals
(f) the International Code Signal of distress
indicated by N.C.
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Distress Signals
(g) a signal consisting of a square flag having
above or below it a ball or anything resembling a
ball
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Distress Signals
(h) flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar
barrel, oil barrel, etc.)
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Distress Signals
(i) a rocket parachute flare or a hand flare
showing a red light
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Parachute Red Rocket
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Pyrotechnics
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Miniflare 3
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Red Hand Flare
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Distress Signals
(j) a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured
smoke
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Smoke Float
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Distress Signals
(k) slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering
arms outstretched to each side
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Distress Signals
(l) the radiotelegraph alarm signal Vessels in
distress may use the radiotelegraph alarm signal
or the radiotelephone alarm signal to secure
attention to distress calls and messages. The
radiotelegraph alarm signal, which is designed to
actuate the radiotelegraph auto alarms of vessels
so fitted, consists of a series of 12 dashes sent
in 1 minute.
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Distress Signals
(m) the radiotelephone alarm signal This signal
consists of two audio tones transmitted
alternatively on the distress frequency 2182 kHz.
This signal is similar in sound to a two-tone
siren used by some ambulances. When generated by
automated means, it shall be sent continuously as
practicable over a period of not less than 30
seconds nor more than 1 minute.
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Distress Signals
(n) signals transmitted by emergency
position-indicating radio beacons
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Distress Signals
(o) approved signals transmitted by
radiocommunication systems including survival
craft transponders.
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The SOS 406 EPIRB satellite distress beacon
designed to operate in conjunction with the
COSPAS-SARSAT
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SART
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Locating Function
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Distress Signals
2. The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing
signals except for the purpose of indicating
distress and need of assistance and the use of
other signals which may be confused with any of
the above signals is prohibited.
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Distress Signals
3. Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of
the International Code of Signals, the Merchant
Ship Search and Rescue Manual and the following
signals
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Distress Signals
(a) a piece of orange canvas with either a black
square and circle or other symbol appropriate for
identification from the air and
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Distress Signals
(b) a dye marker.
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Distress Signals Canadian Modifications
4. In Canadian waters or fishing zones, in
addition to the signals described in section 1,
the following signals may be used or exhibited
either together or separately to indicate
distress and need of assistance
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Distress Signals Canadian Modifications
(a) a square shape or anything resembling a
square shape and (b) a high intensity white
light flashing at regular intervals of 50 to 70
times per minute.
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Distress Signals
The following signals, used or exhibited either
together or separately, indicate distress and
need of assistance
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Dual Frequency Personal Locator BeaconsMCM 330
SOS Rescue B
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Day Night Signal
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Other Pyrotechnics
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Illuminating Flares
The following signals are not distress signals
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Para Illuminating Rocket
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White Collision Handflare
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Line Throwing Apparatus
This is carried by commercial ships. It is a
rocket which carries a messenger rope to shore
rescue authorities to send up breeches buoy to
evacuate crew.