Distress Signals or in Need of Assistance
There are 14 internationally
recognized ways of signaling the fact that you are in distress
and need assistance, but only two have
any practical relevance to the sailor.
The first is
to stand where you can be seen and raise and lower your arms, outstretched
to each side, slowly and repeatedly.
The second
is to use a distress flare. The best
for day light use are hand-held orange smoke
flares. Small Yachts should carry
two (2) minimum of these whenever you are yachting
without safety cover in inshore waters.
Modern flares are almost
waterproof, but they should still be kept dry
whenever possible. On extended cruises in Off
the Beach Yachts Don't
stow them in a buoyancy tank,
or you may be unable to reach them if needed. Flares have a shelf
life of three years, after which they must be replaced.
Read the operating
instructions before you go afloat,
so that you will know what to do in an emergency.
Don't point
the flare at anybody (including
yourself when you fire it, but hold it as
high as you can and point it slightly downwind.
If you are not
in distress, but merely want to attract
attention, possibly for a tow when the wind has dropped,
a whistle, wave
or VHF call to passing boats will be enough. The signals
for distress must never be used lightly, when the
occasion does not warrant the consequences of their use.
If you see anybody else in trouble and cannot
assist, dial 999 in the UK or your local
emergency number and ask for the Coastguard or other emergency
services available in your region. Tell the Coastguard where
and when you saw something, the type of craft, number of crew
and as much other information as possible.
International
Code of Signals
The International
Code of Signals is a system
of signals used in maritime communication.
Originally designed for use with signal flags, the first International
Code of Signals was drafted in 1855 by a committee set up by the British
Board of Trade and published in 1857. It contained
70,000 signals using 18 flags. The first part of the code contained
universal and international signals; the second part
included British signals only. The book was adopted
by most seafaring nations. A 1932 revision stated that
the code should exist in seven languages: English, French, German, Italian,
Japanese, Spanish, and one Scandinavian language (Norwegian). The new
edition was compiled in two volumes, one each for use
in visual signaling and radiotelegraphy.
The latest revision of the code was adopted
by the Fourth Assembly of the Intergovernmental Maritime Consultative
Organization in 1965 and became effective on January 1, 1969. The revision
added Russian and Greek to the languages included and adopted a new radiotelephone
code. Embodying the principle that each signal has a complete
meaning, the revised code helps to ensure the safety of navigation
and persons, especially when language difficulties arise.
Through a system of numbers keyed to medical charts, the code can expedite
communications on health problems and quarantine procedures. It is suitable
for transmission by all means of communication, including radiotelephony
and radiotelegraphy.
International
Morse Code
The International
Morse Code is a system of dots
and dashes that can be used to send
messages by a flash lamp, telegraph key, or other rhythmic
device such as a tapping finger. As a telegraph key is moved up and down,
it makes or breaks an electric circuit and transmits a signal as a series
of electric pulses. The telegraph was invented by Samuel Morse in 1837.
In the International
Morse Code, each letter or number is represented by a combination of dashes
and dots. A dash is equal
to three dots in duration. A famous Morse
Code signal signifies distress: dot dot dot dash dash
dash dot dot dot (SOS).
