🚨 1. Pyrotechnic Flares (Traditional Flares)

These are the classic “firework-style” distress signals.

Types of Pyrotechnic Flares

TypeUseVisibility
Red Aerial Flares (Shooting)To alert distant boats/aircraftUp to 500–1,000 ft ascent
Red Handheld FlaresBest when rescuers are nearby1–5 miles
Orange Smoke FlaresDaytime only; excellent for aircraftHighly visible in daylight

Pros

  • Extremely bright
  • Universal recognition
  • USCG-approved

Cons

  • Expire every 42 months
  • Fire hazard
  • Produce heat, sparks
  • Can be hard to store on a small boat

Required?

YES — if operating on coastal waters, the ocean, or the ICW, you must carry either:
• USCG-approved pyrotechnic flares OR
• A USCG-approved electronic (e-flare) plus an orange distress flag.

🔦 2. Electronic Visual Distress Signals (eVDSD / e-Flares)

These are replacing traditional flares for many boaters.

Examples

  • Sirius Signal C-1003
  • Weems & Plath SOS eVDSD

What They Do

Floating Locator Electronic SOS Beacon Kit

  • Flash the internationally recognized SOS signal
  • Continuous light for hours
  • Daytime “orange flag” included

Pros

  • No expiration
  • No heat/fire
  • Legal for night use as a replacement for flares

Cons

  • Not as bright as an aerial flare
  • For night use only (must also carry a distress flag for daytime)

🚩 3. Distress Flags (Daytime Visual Signals)

Common USCG-Approved Flags

Color/ShapeMeaning
Orange square + black square & circleOfficial USCG daytime distress flag (boats < 16 ft)
Signal mirrorUsed to flash sunlight to attract aircraft
Waving armsUniversal “I need help” gesture

📣 4. Sound Signals (Audible Distress)

From Nav Rules Rule 37 (Distress Signals)

Recognized Audible Distress Signals

  • Continuous sounding of a horn
  • Five short blasts (danger signal, used before the situation becomes full emergency)
  • Gun fired at one-minute intervals (historical, not practical now)

Your Robalo already includes a horn (required equipment) .

📡 5. VHF Radio Distress Options

This is the most important modern distress tool.

OPTION A — MAYDAY Voice Call

Over channel 16:

“MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
This is Boat Name / Registration.
We are located at…
Nature of emergency…
Number of people aboard…
Description of vessel…
Request immediate assistance.”

OPTION B — DSC Distress Button (Digital Distress)

If your radio has DSC and an MMSI programmed:

  • Press and hold the DISTRESS button
  • Sends GPS position + identity automatically
  • Continues transmitting until acknowledged

This ties directly into your Simrad GO XSE — you will see incoming AIS/DSC targets on the chart.

🚢 6. AIS-Based Distress Signaling

There are AIS devices that broadcast your emergency to nearby AIS receivers (including your Simrad’s AIS feature).

Types

  • AIS MOB devices (personal, auto-activate when submerged)
  • EPIRB-AIS hybrids (EPIRB for satellite, AIS for local rescue)

These show up on chartplotters within ~5 miles with a big red “MOB” symbol.

🛰️ 7. EPIRBs & PLBs

EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

  • Registered to the boat
  • Float-free or manual
  • 406 MHz satellite distress signal
  • Tells the Coast Guard:
    • your location
    • your ID
    • your emergency
  • Works offshore and in remote areas where VHF range is limited
  • Best long-range rescue tool

PLB (Personal Locator Beacon)

  • Smaller; registered to you, not the boat
  • Manually activated
  • Best for single passengers, kayaks, crew, etc.

🟠 8. Dye Markers & Additional Visual Signals

Not required but useful:

  • Sea dye markers (bright green patch visible from aircraft)
  • Strobe lights (constant flashing light for nighttime)
  • Flashlights or high-power LEDs
  • Smoke signals (daytime)

📜 9. The Official U.S. Coast Guard Distress Signals (All Recognized Methods)

From NAVRULES Annex IV – Distress Signals :

Recognized distress signals include:

  • Red flares (handheld or aerial)
  • Orange smoke
  • Orange flag with black square and circle
  • Continuous horn blast
  • Flames on a vessel (signal fire)
  • MAYDAY by radio
  • SOS (• • • — — — • • •)
  • DSC distress alert
  • EPIRB/PLB activation
  • Arm signals (waving arms slowly up and down)
  • Square flag + ball (any object above)
  • Position-indicating lights (like AIS SART)
  • Electronic SOS light

🧭 10. What You Should Carry on Your Robalo R202EX

According to required safety equipment in your Robalo manual (PFDs, fire extinguishers, distress signals, horn, etc.) :

Minimum Recommended Set for You

✔ 1 eVDSD Electronic Flare
✔ 1 USCG Orange Distress Flag
✔ VHF Radio with DSC + MMSI
✔ AIS-equipped VHF or standalone AIS
✔ Simrad GO XSE showing AIS targets
✔ Horn (built in)
✔ Waterproof flashlight
✔ Whistle (attached to PFDs)
✔ Optional EPIRB or PLB (huge safety upgrade)

Since you boat around the ICW and sometimes inlet/coastal waters, these give you the fastest response time.

⭐ Summary: What to Use When

Immediate life-threatening emergency

  • Press DSC DISTRESS
  • Broadcast MAYDAY
  • Activate EPIRB/PLB
  • Launch an aerial flare if night/low visibility

Rescue aircraft/helicopter nearby

  • Use handheld red flare or smoke
  • Use signal mirror (daytime)

Distant boats at night

  • Use eVDSD electronic flare
  • “SOS” flashlight signal

Distant boats during the day

  • Orange flag
  • Smoke flare