Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
BY DAY
Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to
each side Annex IV (1) (k)
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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)
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
BY DAY or AT NIGHT
A signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word
"Mayday Annex IV (1) (e)
13
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
15
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
Survival craft
18
Rule
37
Distress
signals
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
Rule
37
Distress
signals
Floatable EPIRB
20
Rule
37
Distress
signals
21
Rule
37
Distress
signals
approved signals transmitted by radio communication systems,
including survival craft radar transponders
22
Rule
37
Distress
signals
Good visible from an
airplane or helicopter
It has the benefit that
it can last indefinitely
and it can be left
unattended
23
Rule
37
Distress
signals
24
Rule
37
Distress
signals
DSC System (Digital Selective Call System) within
GMDSS
25
Rule
37
Distress
signals
MRCC Ostend
Marine Rescue Coordination Center
26
Rule
37
Distress
signals
SAR Sat
27
