2008 REED’s East Coast Edition - Rules & Regulations
and inflatable chambers to provide addition- matically flashes the international SOS signal
al buoyancy. Their performance is equal to (night use only). The international SOS sig-
a Type I, II, or III PFD (as noted on the PFD nal is three short flashes, followed by three
label) when inflated. Hybrid PFDs must be long flashes, followed by three more short
worn when underway to be acceptable. mASHESsssnnnsss 7HENmASHEDFOUR
PFD Requirements
to six times a minute, this is an unmistakable
distress signal, well known to many boat-
Boats less than 16 feet in length (including
ers. These non-pyrotechnic devices must be
canoes and kayaks of any length) must carry
Coast Guard approved.
at least one Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each
Pyrotechnic Devices. Again, all of these
person on board.
devices must be Coast Guard approved and
Boats longer than 16 feet must carry at
be within their marked service life. The four
least one Type I, II, III, or V PFD for each
basic types of pyrotechnic devices are:
person on board. In addition, at least one
(a) Handheld red flares;
Type IV (throwable device) must be carried.
(b) Orange smoke, handheld or floating (day
Note: If a Type V device is used to count to-
use only);
ward requirements, it must be worn.
(c) Aerial red meteors, fired from a flare gun
Federal regulations require PFDs on canoes
or a self-contained launcher; and
and kayaks of any size; they are not required
(d) Parachute flares, fired from a flare gun or
on racing shells, rowing skulls, or racing kay-
a self-contained launcher.
aks. State laws may vary.
Boats must carry a minimum of three day
Water-skiers are considered to be aboard
and night flares or their equivalents to meet
the vessel and PFDs are required for them.
requirements; for greater safety, carry a
Skiers should wear PFDs that are designed
larger number.
to withstand the potential impact of a fall at
Warning: Some states, and several coun-
high speed.
tries, classify flare guns as firearms. Check
State laws may differ and be more restric-
with state authorities or customs officials
tive. Some states require skiers to wear a
before carrying these launchers.
PFD; others may require all children under a
Notes on flares: Many types of flares meet
specified age to wear a PFD.
the minimum requirements for distress
Visual Distress Signals signals, but recent tests indicate a great dif-
Coast Guard Requirements: All vessels
ference in performance among the various
used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, ter-
types. As with most things, the more you
ritorial seas, and those waters connected
spend, the better the results. The common
directly to them, up to a point where a body
12-gauge flare pistol will launch meteors up
of water is less than two miles wide, must
to about 250 feet. A 25mm gun can launch
be equipped with U.S.C.G. approved visual
either meteors or parachute flares up to 375
distress signals. Vessels owned in the United
feet. Several types of handheld parachute
States operating on the high seas must be
flare launchers can achieve altitudes near
equipped with U.S.C.G. approved visual
1,000 feet; the higher the launch, the greater
distress signals. The following vessels are not
the range of visibility. Parachute flares may
required to carry day signals, but must carry
be visible for up to a minute after launch;
night signals when operating from sunset to
meteors last only briefly. The farther from
sunrise:
land you travel, the better your distress sig-
(a) Recreational boats less than 16 feet in
nals should be. Always carry more than the
length;
minimum required.
(b) Boats participating in events such as
SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) approved
races, regattas, or parades;
flares meet stringent requirements and are
(c) Open sailboats, with no engines and un-
preferred for offshore use. There are SOLAS
der 26 feet long; and
approved devices on the market that may not
(d) Manually propelled boats.
carry Coast Guard approval. They cannot
Non-pyrotechnic Devices: These include
be used to meet the legal requirements, even
a three-foot square orange distress flag with
though they are excellent distress signals.
a black square above a black ball (day use
Each type of distress signal may come in to
only), and an electric distress light that auto-
play during a rescue. Meteors, or parachute
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