Distress Signals

A vessel in distress may display any of the following signals to indicate that they are in distress and require assistance. The obligation of other vessels to assist is absolute.

International Collision Prevention Regulations, 1972
Annex IV

The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate distress and need for assistance:

(a)     a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute;
(b)     a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus;
(c)     rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals;
(d)     a signal made by radiotelegraphy or by any other signalling method consisting of the group . . . - - - . . . (SOS) in

          morse code;
(e)     a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word “Mayday”;
(f)      the International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C.;
(g)     a signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball;
(h)     flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.);
(i)      a rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light;
(j)      a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke;
(k)     slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side;
(l)      the radiotelegraph alarm signal;
(m)    the radiotelephone alarm signal;
(n)     signals transmitted by emergency position-indicating radio beacons;
(o)     approved signals transmitted by radiocommunication systems, including survival craft radar transponders.

The use or exhibition of any of the foregoing signals except for the purpose of indicating distress and need of assistance and the use of other signals which may be confused with any of the above signals is prohibited.

Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the International Code of Signals, the Merchant Ship Search and Reacue Manual and the following signals

(a)     a piece of orange-coloured canvas with either a black square and circle or other appropriate symbol (for identification from the air);
(b)     a dye marker

Note: Item 3(a) is the equivalent of a “V Sheet” reqired to be carried by all Australian vessels travelling in open waters.