Rule

 37  –  Distress  signals  

When  a  vessel  is  in  distress  and  requires  assistance  she  
shall  use  or  exhibit  the  signals  described  in  Annex  IV  to  
these  Regula=ons.  

Remark

Distress signals should be made as clearly as possible, so

that they may be recognized easily and rapidly to encourage
assistance to be rendered quickly

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY

The International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C. Annex IV (1) (f)

The "N" and "C" flags

should be on board of all
vessels, and one set should
be kept within reach ready
to be hoisted

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY

A signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball

or anything resembling a ball Annex IV (1) (g)

One can use a flag of the

International Code of
Signals, or a national or
private flag. If need be, any
square piece of canvas of
any colour may be used

As a ball, a round fender

made of rope could be used

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY

Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to

each side Annex IV (1) (k)

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY
A smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke Annex IV (1) (j)

Smoke signals giving

off orange-coloured
smoke and, in the
event of thick fog,
radar flares are also
very effective distress
signals

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY
A piece of orange-coloured canvas with either a black square and
circle or other appropriate symbol (for identification from the air)
Annex IV (3) (a)

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
AT NIGHT

Rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short

intervals Annex IV (1) (c)

It is recommended that parachute

flares are fired in pairs with about
a 5 minute interval between
them. The reason is that the
person who sights a flare may not
be the skipper. By firing a second
flare a few minutes later, the
person who is responsible for the
decisions on board has enough
time to reach the bridge and to
see the flare for himself
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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
AT NIGHT

Flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.)
Annex IV (1) (h)
A distress signal consisting of the
continuous sounding of a fog-
signaling apparatus have often led
to confusion
Flames on a vessel are often
regarded as a signal to attract
attention, especially when they are
produced by a flare-up light

A flare-up light is made from a ball of

Flames on a vessel are low over
the water and, therefore, are
visible only for a short distance
cotton soaked in paraffin and set on
fire. This is frequently used on fishing
vessels fishing in close proximity.
Flames may be produced by lighting
some oily rags in a bucket 8
 Rule
 37
 –
 Distress
 signals
 
AT NIGHT

A rocket parachute flare or a hand-flare showing a red light

Annex IV (1) (i)

The most effective distress signals are rocket parachute flares and hand
flares producing a red light, and rockets throwing out red stars 9
 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY or AT NIGHT

A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute

Annex IV (1) (a)

Merchant vessels, fishing

vessels and pleasure craft
are nowadays no more
equipped with guns.

The Master of a merchant

vessel often carries a
revolver which could be
used in case of distress
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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY or AT NIGHT

A continuous sounding with any fog-signaling apparatus

Annex IV (1) (b)

A distress signal consisting

of the continuous sounding
of a fog-signaling
apparatus have often led to
confusion

A series of signals given on

the whistle often has
another purpose, for
instance, asking for a pilot.
This can be mistaken for a
continuous sound 11
 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY or AT NIGHT
A signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signaling method
consisting of the group - - - — — — - - - (SOS) in the Morse Code
Annex IV (1) (d)
In case of distress, it is better to
sound the Morse signal
S O S - - - — — — - - - than to make
a succession of continuous sounds
on the whistle.
This avoids all misunderstanding.
For the same reason, at night the
S O S signal should be signaled with
the Morse signaling lamp.

As nowadays radiotelegraphy has

become obsolete the distress signals
from Annex IV (m) to (o) will be used
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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
BY DAY or AT NIGHT

A signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word

"Mayday” Annex IV (1) (e)

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
Other  distress  signals          Annex  IV  (l)  (m)  (n)  (o)  

−  The radiotelegraph alarm signal (l)

−  The radiotelephone alarm signal (m)
−  Signals transmitted by emergency positioning-indicating radio
beacons (n)
−  Approved signals transmitted by radio communication systems,
including survival craft radar transponders (o)

Other signals which may be confused with any of the prescribed

distress signals is prohibited (Annex IV (2)

Reference should also be made to (Annex IV (3):

− The International Code of Signals
− The Merchant Ship Search and Rescue Manual
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Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

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Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

A dye marker (of any

colour) can be seen from
helicopters and aircraft. It
can be easily attached to
man overboard equipment
or lifejackets
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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
EPIRB
An Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) is a
transmitter that will send a distress signal up to a satellite system from
anywhere in the World or up to aircraft if they are in range. With one,
you can easily alert the emergency services in situations where you
would be out of range of normal communications.

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Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

Survival craft
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Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

Survival Craft Radar Transponder for

Search and Rescue operations

Enhances radar returns with 12 intense

blips

Mandatory requirement for all vessels

governed by GMDSS
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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
Floatable EPIRB

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Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

approved signals transmitted by radio communication systems,

including survival craft radar transponders
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Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

Good visible from an

airplane or helicopter

It has the benefit that

it can last indefinitely
and it can be left
unattended 23
Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  
DSC System (Digital Selective Call System) within
GMDSS

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

MRCC Ostend
Marine Rescue Coordination Center

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 Rule  37  –  Distress  signals  

SAR Sat

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