Distress Signal Description | USCG Approval Number | Use | Number Required |
Hand-Held Red Flare Signals | 160.021 | Day and Night | 3 |
Floating Orange Smoke Signals | 160.022 | Day Only | 3 |
Parachute Red Flare Signals | 160.024 | Day and Night | 3 |
Hand-Held Rocket Propelled Parachute Red Flare Signals | 160.036 | Day and Night | 3 |
Hand-Held Orange Smoke Signals | 160.037 | Day Only | 3 |
Floating Orange Smoke Signals | 160.057 | Day Only | 3 |
Red Aerial Pyrotechnic Flares | 160.066 | Day and Night | 3 |
(4) Marking and stowage. Visual distress signals required by this section must be legibly marked with the United States Coast Guard approval number and must be readily accessible.
(5) Condition and expiration date. Visual distress signals required by this section must be in serviceable condition, and if marked with an expiration date, shall not be expired.
(6) Launchers. Any vessel that carries a visual distress signal required by this section where a launcher is necessary to activate the signal, must also have on board a launcher approved by the United States Coast Guard.
(7) Prohibited use. No person in a vessel shall display a visual distress signal on the waters of Washington state under any circumstance except a situation where assistance is needed because of immediate or potential danger to the persons on board.
(8) Exceptions. The following vessels, when operating between sunset and sunrise, must carry visual distress signals that meet the requirements of this section and are suitable for night use:
(a) A vessel competing in any organized marine parade, regatta, race or similar authorized event;
(b) A vessel being manually propelled; or
(c) A sailing vessel of completely open construction, less than twenty-six feet (7.9 meters) in length, and not equipped with propulsion machinery.
(9) Any combination of signal devices selected from the types noted in subsection (3)(a), (b) and (c) of this section, when carried in the number required, may be used to meet both day and night requirements. Examples - the combination of two hand-held red flares (160.021), and one parachute red flare (160.024 or 160.036) meets both day and night requirements. Three hand-held orange smoke (160.037) with one electric distress light (161.013) meet both day and night requirements.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
43.51.400,
88.12.065,
88.12.125,
88.12.245 and chapter 33, C.F.R. Part 175.15. WSR 94-16-027, § 352-60-040, filed 7/25/94, effective 8/25/94. Statutory Authority: RCW
43.51.400. WSR 84-11-057 (Order 79), § 352-60-040, filed 5/18/84.]