Boat distress signals are used to indicate that a vessel is in distress. The operator of a pleasure craft shall recognize, use or display boat distress signals. The most common boat distress signals include:
Arm signal
Arm signal: outstretch your arms on each side and do slow repetitive gestures from top to bottom. (Do not use this technique near a helicopter because this gesture does not mean the same thing to a helicopter pilot);
EPIRB
Emergency position indicating radio beacons (EPIRB): this is used to signal an emergency location.
Radiotelephony
Signal transmitted by radiotelephony or by any other signal system
S O S
S O S (…---…) in Morse code or possibly using a flashlight
Shot gun
A shot gun or other explosive signal may be fired at intervals of about 1 minute;
Boat distress flag (N and C)
Use distress flag N and C from the International Code of Signals;
Signalling device
A continuous sound with any fog-signalling device;
Multi Star Red Flare
Rockets or shells that shoot up red stars one at a time at short intervals;
