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Signalling Devices for Boats

How can you draw attention to yourself and alert others in a distress situation? In addition to transmitting an emergency MAYDAY alert via radio and a DSC emergency transmission, you can also send a distress signal with a visual or pyrotechnical and acoustic signalling device. For visual distress signals, a pyrotechnic hand flare (red), smoke signal (orange), flare gun (red) and parachute flare (red) are used on boats to signal for assistance. You can also communicate your presence using special sea emergency lights, glow sticks, emergency strobe lights, emergency navigation lights and marine dye markers. A foghorn or siren is the best way to emit an audible signal as a continuous sound. Bang signals, flash bang signals or ship bells are also a good way of audibly alerting your presence.