It's the Law: Required Equipment for Your Vessel

Visual Distress Signals (VDSs)

Visual Distress Signals (VDSs) allow vessel operators to signal for help in the event of an emergency.

• Vessels on federally controlled waters or on Massachusetts coastal waters must be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard–approved visual distress signals.
• All vessels, regardless of length or type, are required to carry night signals when operating between sunset and sunrise. Most vessels must also carry day signals; exceptions to the requirement for day signals are:
  • Recreational vessels that are less than 16 feet in length
  • Non-motorized open sailboats that are less than 26 feet in length
  • Manually propelled vessels
• All VDSs must be in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and certified as complying with U.S. Coast Guard requirements.
• If pyrotechnic VDSs are used, a minimum of three must be on board.
• The following combinations of signals are examples of VDSs that could be carried on board to satisfy U.S. Coast Guard requirements:
  • Three hand-held red flares (day and night) or...
  • Three orange smoke signals (day only) and one electric light (night only).
• It is prohibited to display visual distress signals on the water except when assistance is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to persons on board a vessel.

VDSs are classified as day signals (visible in bright sunlight), night signals (visible at night) or both day and night signals. VDSs are either pyrotechnic (smoke and flames) or non-pyrotechnic (non-combustible).

Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

Orange Smoke: Day Signal

Red Meteor: Day and Night Signal

Red Flare: Day and Night Signal

Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

Electric Light: Night Signal

Orange Flag: Day Signal

Arm Signal: Although not a USCG-approved VDS, use this arm action to indicate you need help if you do not have other visual distress signals available.

Federally Controlled Waters

Vessels must observe federal requirements when on these waters:

• Coastal waters
• The Great Lakes
• Territorial seas
• Waters that are two miles wide or wider and are directly connected to one of the above

Massachusetts Coastal Waters: Any Massachusetts waters that are subject to the rise and fall of the tide