Flares & Signaling

Flares are used to signal distress at sea and can help to pinpoint a casualty's position. They come in various shapes and sizes and manufacturers such as McMurdo Pains Wessex offer suitable flare packs for all sea users ranging from mini flares for jet-skiers and dinghy sailors to rocket flares for ocean going vessels.

Flares should never be fired except in an emergency without first informing HM Coastguard. All sightings of flares will trigger an emergency response. The telephone number of the nearest Coastguard Station can be found in the telephone directory.

Red parachute rocket flares send a signal some 300m into the air which burns for around 40 seconds, enabling them to be seen for hundreds of square miles in good conditions. They are obviously most effective at night but are also used as a day time signal in the right conditions.

Red hand flares are ideal for use closer inshore and when help is in sight as they enable responders to pinpoint the casualty's position.

Orange hand smokes or buoyant smoke signal provide a means of signaling day time distress close in shore. The buoyant smoke burns for around three minutes and can be used even in water polluted with fuel or oil.

White star rocket flares are used by rescuers to signal that the casualty has been seen and help is on its way. Occasionally a maroon or orange smoke may also be used. They can also be used to draw attention to a vessel, for example when on a collision course with another vessel that may not have seen them.

White parachute rocket flares are used by rescuers to illuminate areas. They are not used for signaling distress.

Other Distress Signals you should know if you venture out to sea;

• Continuous sounding of any fog signaling apparatus
• Gun or other explosive device / signal fired at intervals of approx 1 minute
• Rockets/shells throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals
• Radio - "MAYDAY" spoken
• Radio or any other signaling method consisting of the group - - - ...- - - (S.O.S.)
• Flags showing NC
• Square flag with a ball (or anything resembling a ball) above or below it
• Flames on a vessel including a burning tar or oil barrel
• Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side
• Radiotelegraphy alarm
• Radiotelephony alarm
• Signals transmitted by EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)
• Dye marker
• Orange canvas with either a black square and ball or other appropriate signal

When flares reach their expiry date they need to be carefully disposed of by recognised authorities. Many chandlers will take out-of-date pyrotechnics, especially if you are buying replacements. Many coastguard stations also have facilities for storing expired flares but this should be viewed as a last resort.

It is important that flares are checked regularly to ensure that they are in-date and in good condition. The RYA Cruising Yacht Safety Sail and Power book is a useful source of information on the storage and use of flares.