It's The Law: Required Equipment for Your Vessel

Visual Distress Signals (VDSs)

Vessels on federally controlled waters must be equipped with visual distress signals that are U.S. Coast Guard—approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.

All vessels, regardless of length or type, are required to carry night signals when operating between sunset and sunrise. Most vessels must carry day signals also; exceptions to the requirement for day signals are:

• Recreational vessels that are less than 16 ft. in length
• Non-motorized open sailboats less than 26 ft. in length
• Manually-propelled vessels

If pyrotechnic VDSs are used, a minimum of three must be carried in the vessel.

The following examples satisfy USCG requirements:

• Three handheld red flares (day and night)
• Three orange smoke signals (day only) and one electric light (night only)

U.S. Coast Guard-Approved Visual Distress Signals

Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

Orange Smoke Day Signal

Red Meteor Day and Night Signal

Red Flare Day and Night Signal

Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

Electric Light Night Signal

Orange Flag Day Signal

Arm Signal Although this signal does not meet VDS equipment requirements, wave your arms to summon help if you do not have other distress signals on board.

Federally Controlled Waters

Vessels must observe federal requirements on these waters:

• Coastal waters
• The Great Lakes
• Territorial seas
• Waters which are two miles wide or wider and are directly connected to one of the above