At some point, most boaters will face a situation where they need assistance — whether from running aground, engine failure, fire, a leak, or an injury to a crew member. Boaters use visual distress signals to attract attention in an emergency, either in the daytime or at night. Using a handheld or fixed-mount VHF radio is another very effective way to communicate your situation to potential rescuers, but if your batteries are dead, visual distress signals may be your best hope.
- The Regulations
- Day Signals vs. Night Signals
- Alert Signals vs. Locate Signals
- How to Use a Flare
- Non-Pyrotechnic Devices
- Should You Upgrade to SOLAS Signals?
- Storing Your Signals
- How Many Signals to Carry
- FAQs
The Regulations
Coastal Waters and the Great Lakes
All vessels used on coastal waters or the Great Lakes, or on any body of water with a passageway to the sea at least two miles wide, are required to carry Coast Guard Approved visual distress signals, unless exempt. These can be either pyrotechnic devices (flares) or non-pyrotechnic devices (such as orange distress flags or electric SOS distress lights).
If using pyrotechnics, you need at least three daytime signals and three nighttime signals (six total), or three combination day/night signals, with a manufacture date within 42 months of the current date. If using non-pyrotechnic signals, you need one approved daytime signal (orange distress flag) and one approved nighttime signal (electric SOS distress light).
Exceptions apply during daytime (sunrise to sunset) only for the following vessels:
- Recreational boats less than 16 feet in length
- Boats participating in organized events such as races, regattas, or marine parades
- Open sailboats not equipped with propulsion machinery and less than 26 feet in length
- Manually propelled boats (rowboats, canoes, kayaks)
There are no nighttime exemptions. Any vessel on the water after dark must carry the required distress signals.
Day Signals vs. Night Signals
Boaters may select any combination that meets the specific requirements for their vessel. The table below shows USCG device numbers, signal type, accepted use, and minimum quantity required:
| Number on Device | Description | Accepted Use | Minimum Quantity |
|---|---|---|---|
| 160.021 | Handheld red flare distress signals (500 candela) | Day and night | 3 |
| 160.022 | Floating orange smoke distress signals | Day only | 3 |
| 160.028 | Pistol-launched parachute red flare distress signals | Day and night | 3 |
| 160.036 | Handheld rocket-propelled parachute red (20,000 candela) | Day and night | 3 |
| 160.037 | Handheld orange smoke distress signals (50 seconds) | Day only | 3 |
| 160.057 | Floating orange smoke distress signals (15 minutes) | Day only | 3 |
| 160.066 | Distress signal for boats, red aerial pyrotechnic flare (10,000 candela) | Day and night | 3 |
| 160.072 | Distress signal for boats, orange flag | Day only | 1 |
| 161.013 | Electric distress light for boats | Night only | 1 |
Alert Signals vs. Locate Signals
Pyrotechnic Devices
Pyrotechnic signals must be Coast Guard Approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible. If they meet the day/night requirement, you need a minimum of three. In a real emergency, you will be glad if you chose to carry more. They are stamped with a manufacture date; expiration is 42 months (3½ years) from that date. Expired flares can be kept as supplemental equipment — they usually still function — but cannot count toward the USCG minimum carriage requirement during a Vessel Safety Check inspection. Store flares in a dedicated waterproof container such as the Orion Flare Canister.
Alert Signals
Alert signals draw attention to your emergency when a rescue vessel or aircraft may be in the area but has not yet spotted you. Meteor flares are propelled by black powder and launched from a pistol-shaped handheld holder. They reach an altitude of 375–500 feet and burn for 7–8 seconds. Rocket-propelled SOLAS parachute flares rise to 1,000 feet and burn for 40 seconds.
Fire aerial flares only after you have sighted or heard a potential rescue vessel or aircraft. The U.S. Coast Guard recommends firing two aerial flares in quick succession so rescuers can confirm the sighting and take a bearing on the direction of the signal. A single flare is easily missed; two fired a few seconds apart let rescuers triangulate your position.
Locate Signals
Locate signals are typically handheld flares that burn for one to two minutes and are used to pinpoint your position once rescuers are in your area. Orange SOLAS smoke flares are for daytime use only and are the best way to show your location to a Coast Guard helicopter — they float on the surface and emit a dense orange cloud for three to four minutes.
The practical math: the surface-to-surface sighting range on water is approximately three to five miles depending on vessel elevation. If a rescuer is five miles away running at 20 knots, it will take 15 minutes to reach you — meaning you need at least 12 minutes of handheld burn time to maintain a continuous homing signal until help arrives. Three two-minute flares provide that buffer, but only if all three ignite perfectly. Carrying four to six handheld locate signals is the realistic standard for coastal boaters.
Signal Kits
We carry a selection of signal kits for inland, coastal, or offshore boating, packaged in waterproof storage cases and more economical than buying items individually.
How to Use a Flare Correctly
Read the instructions on every signal device you carry before you need them. An emergency is the wrong time to be figuring out the ignition mechanism.
Handheld flares:
- Hold at arm's length, downwind, and angled slightly downward from vertical so dripping material falls away from your body and the boat. Standard handheld flares drip molten material — keep them away from fuel, sails, and rigging.
- Remove the cap, point away from people and flammable material, and ignite per the manufacturer's instructions (most twist-ignite or pull-cap activate).
- Do not look directly at the burning flare — the intense light temporarily impairs night vision.
- After use, plunge the spent flare into a bucket of water to confirm it is fully extinguished before discarding.
Aerial flares (pistol-launched or rocket):
- Fire downwind so the parachute flare does not drift back over the boat.
- In low cloud conditions, fire at a 45° angle rather than straight up — a flare that enters cloud cover will not be seen.
- Fire the first flare, wait a few seconds, then fire the second. Two signals let rescuers both alert to the emergency and take a bearing.
- Never fire toward aircraft, other vessels, or people.
Orange smoke:
- Deploy on the windward side of the vessel so the cloud drifts over and around the boat, visible from above and from the surface.
- Smoke is most effective in calm to light wind. Heavy wind disperses smoke rapidly and reduces effective signaling time.
- Floating smoke canisters can be thrown clear of the boat; handheld smoke must be held away from your body and the vessel.
Non-Pyrotechnic Devices
Orion’s electronic SOS beacon is a Coast Guard approved alternative to pyrotechnic flares.
An orange distress flag is a 3’ × 3’ square with a black square and ball on an orange background. For daytime use only and not limited by burn time, though less visible than a flare in most daytime conditions. An electric distress signal is approved for night use only and must carry the marking: “Night Visual Distress Signal for Boats Complies with U.S. Coast Guard Requirements in 46 CFR 161.013. For Emergency Use Only.” An electric SOS distress light packaged with an orange distress flag meets both daytime and nighttime requirements with non-pyrotechnic devices.
Advantages of electronic non-pyrotechnic devices:
- No expiration date — a one-time purchase that does not require periodic replacement
- Safe for any crew member to operate with a simple on/off switch
- Visible at 10+ nautical miles
- Powered by replaceable C-cell alkaline batteries available worldwide
- No hazardous material disposal concerns
- Buoyant — remains active if dropped overboard
- Less expensive over time than replacing pyrotechnics every 42 months
Limitations of electronic non-pyrotechnic devices:
- The electric distress light is approved for night use only; a separate orange flag is required for daytime compliance
- Flares are significantly more visible than an electronic light in most daytime conditions, particularly in bright sunlight
- Higher initial purchase price
- Batteries can corrode or fail; inspect and replace batteries annually
Should You Upgrade to SOLAS Signals?
Some categories of offshore boating carry more rigorous requirements. A good source for offshore outfitting is the World Sailing (WS) Offshore Special Regulations, which sailboat racers use to outfit their boats. The WS requires significantly more flares than USCG minimums, all meeting SOLAS standards. We recommend offshore fishing vessels, cruisers, and any vessel operating in open water use the WS guidelines as a baseline. WS requirements by race category:
| Race Category | Red Parachute | Red Handheld | Orange Smoke |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 — Trans-oceanic | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| 1 — Long distance / well offshore | 6 | 4 | 2 |
| 2 — Shorelines / large unprotected bays / lakes | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 3 — Relatively protected / close to shorelines | 4 | 4 | 2 |
| 4 — Monohull / close to shore / relatively warm or protected waters | 0 | 4 | 2 |
| 4 — Multihull / close to shore / relatively warm or protected waters | 2 | 4 | 2 |
SOLAS flares meet stricter standards than conventional Coast Guard Approved pyrotechnics. SOLAS parachute flares ascend to 1,000 feet and burn at 30,000 candela for 40 seconds. Handheld SOLAS flares are waterproof and burn for one minute at 15,000 candela — versus 700 candela for standard Coast Guard Approved flares — and do not spray molten material, making them safer in the close quarters of a life raft.
Commercial fishing vessels venturing more than 50 miles offshore must carry three parachute flares, six handheld red flares, and three smoke flares, all SOLAS grade. Vessels operating 3–50 miles offshore are not required to carry SOLAS flares, but for any offshore passage, SOLAS signals are a sound investment.
Storing Your Visual Distress Signals
The best signal kit is useless if you cannot find it in an emergency or if it has been damaged by moisture or heat.
- Dedicated waterproof container: Store all pyrotechnic signals together in a purpose-made flare canister. This keeps them together, dry, and immediately identifiable — no searching through lockers when seconds matter.
- Accessible location: The container must be immediately accessible, not buried under gear. Many boaters store signals in the cockpit locker nearest the helm or in the companionway where they can be grabbed without going below.
- Away from heat: Store pyrotechnics away from engines, exhaust, and direct sunlight. Excessive heat degrades pyrotechnic composition.
- Annual inspection: Check manufacture dates annually and replace signals within 6–12 months of expiration. Inspect electronic devices for battery corrosion and replace batteries every year.
- Expired flare disposal: Do not discard pyrotechnic flares in household trash. Contact your local fire department, USCG station, or hazardous waste facility. Many marinas and USCG Auxiliary flotillas hold periodic flare disposal events.
How Many Signals We Recommend
Carry double the minimum number of meteor or handheld flares required. They are inexpensive relative to the cost of a boat and the value of your safety, and you will be grateful for the redundancy if you ever need them. Consider the burn-time math: maintaining a continuous homing signal for 15 minutes while rescuers close the distance requires enough handheld flares to cover that time. The USCG minimum of three is a legal floor, not a practical recommendation. For coastal use, carry four to six handheld locate signals and two to three aerial signals. For offshore passages, use the World Sailing guidelines as your minimum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are visual distress signals and why are they required?
Visual distress signals are safety devices that help rescuers locate a vessel in distress. They include pyrotechnic flares, orange smoke signals, electronic SOS lights, and orange distress flags. The USCG requires them on most vessels operating on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and bodies of water connected to the sea, because they remain effective when radio communication has failed and are visible from aircraft and vessels not monitoring VHF.
How long are pyrotechnic flares valid?
Pyrotechnic flares are valid for 42 months (3½ years) from the manufacture date stamped on the device. After expiration they cannot count toward the USCG minimum carriage requirement, though they usually still function and can be kept as supplemental backup. Replace expiring flares before they expire — not after an inspection or after you need them.
Can I keep expired flares on my boat?
Yes, but they cannot count toward your required minimum. Keep them clearly separated from your compliant signals — you do not want to grab an expired flare during a Vessel Safety Check or an actual emergency when you need a working signal. Most expired flares still function, but reliability decreases with age.
What are the advantages of electronic non-pyrotechnic signals?
Electronic signals have no expiration date, require no hazardous disposal, are safe for any crew member to operate, and are visible at 10+ nautical miles. Unlike pyrotechnics replaced every 42 months, an electronic light is a one-time purchase. The primary limitation is that the electric distress light is night-use only — a separate orange distress flag is required for daytime compliance, and flares are significantly more visible in daylight conditions.
When should I fire a flare?
Fire aerial alert flares only when you have sighted or heard a potential rescue vessel or aircraft — firing into empty sky wastes your limited supply. Fire two aerial flares in quick succession so rescuers can spot the signal and take a bearing on your location. Use handheld locate flares once rescuers are in your area to pinpoint your exact position. Space locate flares to maintain a continuous signal as rescuers close the distance rather than burning them all at once.
How do I dispose of expired flares?
Do not discard pyrotechnic flares in household trash — they are hazardous material. Contact your local fire department, USCG station, or hazardous waste disposal facility. Many marinas and USCG Auxiliary flotillas hold periodic flare disposal events, and some manufacturers offer mail-back disposal programs.
We’re Here to Help
Use our store locator to find a West Marine store near you.