When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Regula=ons. Remark Distress signals should be made as clearly as possible, so that they may be recognized easily and rapidly to encourage assistance to be rendered quickly 1
BY DAY The International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C. Annex IV (1) (f) The "N" and "C" flags should be on board of all vessels, and one set should be kept within reach ready to be hoisted 2
BY DAY A signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball Annex IV (1) (g) One can use a flag of the International Code of Signals, or a national or private flag. If need be, any square piece of canvas of any colour may be used As a ball, a round fender made of rope could be used 3
BY DAY Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side Annex IV (1) (k) 4
BY DAY A smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke Annex IV (1) (j) Smoke signals giving off orange-coloured smoke and, in the event of thick fog, radar flares are also very effective distress signals 5
BY DAY A piece of orange-coloured canvas with either a black square and circle or other appropriate symbol (for identification from the air) Annex IV (3) (a) 6
AT NIGHT Rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals Annex IV (1) (c) It is recommended that parachute flares are fired in pairs with about a 5 minute interval between them. The reason is that the person who sights a flare may not be the skipper. By firing a second flare a few minutes later, the person who is responsible for the decisions on board has enough time to reach the bridge and to see the flare for himself 7
AT NIGHT Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.) Annex IV (1) (h) A distress signal consisting of the continuous sounding of a fogsignaling apparatus have often led to confusion Flames on a vessel are often regarded as a signal to attract attention, especially when they are produced by a flare-up light Flames on a vessel are low over the water and, therefore, are visible only for a short distance A flare-up light is made from a ball of cotton soaked in paraffin and set on fire. This is frequently used on fishing vessels fishing in close proximity. Flames may be produced by lighting some oily rags in a bucket 8
AT NIGHT A rocket parachute flare or a hand-flare showing a red light Annex IV (1) (i) The most effective distress signals are rocket parachute flares and hand flares producing a red light, and rockets throwing out red stars 9
BY DAY or AT NIGHT A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute Annex IV (1) (a) Merchant vessels, fishing vessels and pleasure craft are nowadays no more equipped with guns. The Master of a merchant vessel often carries a revolver which could be used in case of distress 10
BY DAY or AT NIGHT A continuous sounding with any fog-signaling apparatus Annex IV (1) (b) A distress signal consisting of the continuous sounding of a fog-signaling apparatus have often led to confusion A series of signals given on the whistle often has another purpose, for instance, asking for a pilot. This can be mistaken for a continuous sound 11
BY DAY or AT NIGHT A signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signaling method consisting of the group - - - - - - (SOS) in the Morse Code Annex IV (1) (d) In case of distress, it is better to sound the Morse signal S O S - - - - - - than to make a succession of continuous sounds on the whistle. This avoids all misunderstanding. For the same reason, at night the S O S signal should be signaled with the Morse signaling lamp. As nowadays radiotelegraphy has become obsolete the distress signals from Annex IV (m) to (o) will be used 12
BY DAY or AT NIGHT A signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word "Mayday Annex IV (1) (e) 13
Other distress signals Annex IV (l) (m) (n) (o) The radiotelegraph alarm signal (l) The radiotelephone alarm signal (m) Signals transmitted by emergency positioning-indicating radio beacons (n) Approved signals transmitted by radio communication systems, including survival craft radar transponders (o) Other signals which may be confused with any of the prescribed distress signals is prohibited (Annex IV (2) Reference should also be made to (Annex IV (3): The International Code of Signals The Merchant Ship Search and Rescue Manual 14
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A dye marker (of any colour) can be seen from helicopters and aircraft. It can be easily attached to man overboard equipment or lifejackets 16
EPIRB An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a transmitter that will send a distress signal up to a satellite system from anywhere in the World or up to aircraft if they are in range. With one, you can easily alert the emergency services in situations where you would be out of range of normal communications. 17
Survival craft 18
Survival Craft Radar Transponder for Search and Rescue operations Enhances radar returns with 12 intense blips Mandatory requirement for all vessels governed by GMDSS 19
Floatable EPIRB Rule 37 Distress signals 20
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approved signals transmitted by radio communication systems, including survival craft radar transponders 22
Good visible from an airplane or helicopter It has the benefit that it can last indefinitely and it can be left unattended 23
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DSC System (Digital Selective Call System) within GMDSS 25
MRCC Ostend Marine Rescue Coordination Center 26
SAR Sat Rule 37 Distress signals 27