Safe at Sea: Visual Distress Signals are required on all vessels
Both Sanibel and Captiva are fortunate to have excellent fire and rescue districts. What readers may not know is that these fire and rescue teams are as trained and equipped to answer emergency calls on the seas as they are on land.
Surprisingly, the on-the-water team is called out quite frequently, particularly during high tourist season. That said, their rescue efforts are either bolstered or impeded by the preparedness of the boat in distress. Over the past few weeks, Safe at Sea columns have focused on responses to distress boating situations. This week’s column will center on Coast Guard-approved Visual Distress Signals, or VDS, another federal requirement on all vessels.
A VDS is defined as any device you can use to help others locate your boat quickly in the case of an emergency. VSDs include day signals that are visible in sunlight, night signals that are visible in the dark, and anytime signals that can be used both day and night. VDS are either pyrotechnic, which use smoke and flame, or non-pyrotechnic, which are non-combustible. There are a wide variety of signals that can be carried to meet federal boating regulations.
All distress signals, regardless of their type, must be in serviceable condition and readily accessible. (When did you last check your VSDs for serviceability?) Additionally, only the following are not required to carry day signals, but must carry night signals when operating between sunset to sunrise:
– Recreational boats less than 16 feet in length
– Open sailboats less than 26 feet in length
– Manually propelled boats
Though electronic devices, such as a VHF marine radio on Channel 16, can be critical in an emergency, boaters should never depend on only electronic equipment that may go out of service. Remember: The law states that no person may use a distress signal under any circumstances, unless assistance is needed because of immediate or potential danger to the persons onboard.
The most commonly known VSD is the red flare. If pyrotechnic devices like red flares are selected, a minimum of three must be carried. Pyrotechnic devices come with an expiration date, which is 42 months from the date of manufacture. To meet carriage requirements, at least three unexpired flares must be on board. You may carry expired flares as back up, but they will not count toward the legal requirement.
A couple years ago, the U.S. Coast Guard approved the SOS Distress Light, an LED VDS device that meets its requirements to completely replace traditional pyrotechnic flares. Unlike traditional flares, the electronic flare never expires (which solves the challenge of flare disposal). The LED light flashes up to 60 hours, unlike traditional flares that last minutes or less. It flashes only the SOS sequence, per USCG requirements, and is visible up to 10 nautical miles.
Three little-known common-sense VSDs (day time only) are often forgotten:
– Distress flag, an orange flag with a black square and black circle: By day, fasten it to a fishing pole and wave it broadly.
– A mirror (in sunlight)
– Last alternative: Wave your arms up and down at the sides of your body.
No single signaling device is ideal under all conditions and for all purposes. Therefore, every boater should be prepared to be Safe at Sea with at least three varying Visual Distress Signals.
Pat Schmidt is a member of America’s Boating Club of Sanibel-Captiva. For more about the chapter and its boating education courses, visit www.sancapboating.club or contact education@sanibelcaptivasps.org or 612-987-2125.