Life Saving and Emergency/Distress Signals

List the emergency/distress signaling equipment found on board a lifeboat:

(1) Approved Signaling Mirror (1) Radar Reflector, effective up to 4nm, or a 9GHz Radar Transponder (2) Smoke Signals (6) Hand Flare Signals (4) Rocket Parachute Flare Signals (1) Whistle

What are the different sizes of parachute flares and their effective heights?

-45/70: Good up to about 100 ft -12 guage: Good up to about 300 ft -25mm: Good up to about 300m (~1000 ft)

International Distress Signals, which indicate "I am in distress and in need of assistance"

1) Red Star Shells 2)Continuous sounding of fog horn 3)Flames on a vessel 4)Gun or other explosive, fired at 1 min intervals 5)Flag with orange background and black square above a black ball 6)S.O.S. (... _ _ _ ...)by radio telegraph or any other signaling method. 7)MAYDAY by radiotelephony 8)Red Rocket Parachute Flare or hand flare 9)Dye Marker (any color) 10)International Code Signal of distress, indicated by November Charlie (N.C.) 11) A square flag with a ball above or below it. 12)Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side. 13) Radio- Telegraph Alarm Signal 14) Radio- Telephone Alarm Signal 15)Signal transmitted from an EPIRB 16)Smoke signal giving off orange smoke 17)A high intensity white light, flashing at regular intervals from 50-70 times per minute.

In what sizes do orange smoke signals come?

4-6 minute smoke signals and 10-15 minute smoke signals; the 4-6 minute signals sometimes have a problem with the smoke staying down close to the water though instead of rising up into the air.

What is the burn intensity of a red hand flare?

About 15,000 candella

What's the average burn time and burn intensity of a shipboard parachute flare?

Burn for 45-60 seconds with an intensity between 45,000 and 60,000 candella.

When signaling a surface vessel to direct it toward an aircraft or vessel in distress, an aircraft should:

Circle the surface vessel at least once, cross the vessel's projected course close ahead at low altitude opening while rocking the wings, then head the direction in which the vessel is to be directed

When signaling a surface vessel to indicate the assistance of the aircraft or vessel previously in distress is no longer needed, an aircraft should:

Cross the vessel's wake close astern at low altitude while rocking the wings.

When a vessel is signaling to an aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations, what signal should the ship use to indicate inability to comply with the aircraft's message?

Hoist international flag "N" (November) or flash Morse Code signal "N" by signal lamp.

When a vessel is signaling to an aircraft engaged in search and rescue operations, what signal should the ship use to acknowledge receipt of the aircraft's message?

Hoist the "Code and Anwering" pendant close, change the heading to the required direction, or flash Morse Code signal "T" by signal lamp.

When signaling a small boat with a crew or persons in distress, what are the night signals for "Landing here is highly dangerous"?

Horizontal motion of a light or flare, firing of a red star signal, or code letter S given by light or sound signal apparatus.

When signaling in connection with the use of shore based life saving apparatus, what is the general night signal for "Negative"?

Horizontal motion of a light or flare, or firing of a red star signal.

When signaling a small boat with a crew or persons in distress, what are the day signals for "Landing here is highly dangerous"?

Horizontal motion of a white flag or extended arms, firing of a red star signal, or code letter S given by light or sound signal apparatus.

When signaling in connection with the use of shore based life saving apparatus, what is the general day signal for "Negative"?

Horizontal motion of a white flag or of extended arms, or firing of a red star signal.

When signaling a small boat with a crew or persons in distress, what are the day signals for "Landing here is highly dangerous. A more favorable location for landing is in the direction indicated"?

Horizontal motion of a white flag, followed by the placing of the white flag on the ground and the carrying of another white flag in the direction to be indicated, or the firing of a red star signal vertically and a white star signal in the direction of the better landing place, or signaling the code letter S followed by the code letter R if a better landing location is to the right of the direction of approach and the code letter L if a better landing location is to the left of the direction of approach.

When signaling a small boat with a crew or persons in distress, what are the night signals for "Landing here is highly dangerous. A more favorable location for landing is in the direction indicated"?

Horizontal motion of a white light or flare followed by the placing of the white light or flare on the ground and the carrying of another white light or flare in the direction to be indicated, or the firing of a red star signal vertically and a white star signal in the direction of the better landing place, or signaling the code letter S followed by the code letter R if a better landing place is located to the right of the direction of approach and followed by the code letter L if a better landing place is located to the left of the direction of approach.

Visibility of parachute flares:

Manufacturers say around 43 miles, but in practice it is closer to 34 miles.

What do some small boat pyrotechnic signals exhibit?

Morse A or S.O.S.

Storm Warning Signal for weather hazardous to small craft:

One red triangular pennant (Daytime) or one red light above one white light (Night Time); indicates winds between 0 kts and 33 kts.

Storm warning signal for Storm force winds and weather:

One square flag with a red border and black center (Daytime) or two red lights, displayed one above the other (Night time); indicates winds above 48 kts.

When a life saving station or maritime rescue unit is replying to distress signals made by a ship or a person, what is the day signal for "You are seen- assistance will be given as soon as possible"?

Orange smoke signal, or combined light and sound signal (thunder light) consisting of three single signals which are fired at intervals of approximately one minute.

What are some more specific meanings of the general signal for "affirmative" when signaling in connection with the use of shore based life saving apparatus?

Rocket line is held- tail block is made fast- hawser is made fast- man is in the breeches buoy- haul away.

When signaling in connection with the use of shore based life saving apparatus, what are some more specific meanings of the general signal for "Negative"?

Slack Away- Avast Hauling

Storm warning signal for Hurricane force winds and weather:

Two square flags, both with red borders and black centers, flown one above the other (Daytime) or 3 lights displayed vertically, one red light above one white light above another red light (Night time); indicates winds greater than 64 kts.

Storm Warning signal for Gale force winds and weather:

Two triangular red pennants, flown one above the other (Daytime) or one white light above one red light (night time); indicates winds between 34 kts and 47 kts.

When signaling a small boat with a crew or persons in distress, what are the day signals for "This is the best place to land"?

Vertical motion of a white flag or of the arms, firing of a green star signal, or code letter K given by light or sound signal apparatus.

When signaling in connection with the use of shore based life saving apparatus, what is the general day signal for "affirmative"

Vertical motion of a white flag or of the arms, or firing of a green star signal.

When signaling a small boat with a crew or persons in distress, what are the night signals for "This is the best place to land"?

Vertical motion of a white light or flare, firing of a green star signal, or code letter K given by light or sound signal apparatus.

When signaling in connection with the use of shore based life saving apparatus, what is the general night signal for "Affirmative"?

Vertical motion of a white light or flare, or firing a green star signal.

When a life saving station or maritime rescue unit is replying to distress signals made by a ship or a person, what is the night signal for "You are seen- assistance will be given as soon as possible"?

White star rocket consisting of three single signals which are fired at intervals of approximately one minute.

Can smoke signals be used for anything after they've expired?

Yes; they are good for training purposes for 6 months after their expiration date.