A distress signal, also known as a distress call, is an internationally recognized means for obtaining help. Distress signals are communicated by transmitting radio signals, displaying a visually observable item or illumination, or making a sound audible from a distance.

A distress signal indicates that a person or group of people, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle is threatened by serious and/or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.[1]:PCG D−3 Use of distress signals in other circumstances may be against local or international law. An urgency signal is available to request assistance in less critical situations.

In order for distress signalling to be the most effective, two parameters must be communicated:

Alert or notification of a distress in progress
Position or location (or localization or pinpointing) of the party in distress.

For example, a single aerial flare alerts observers to the existence of a vessel in distress somewhere in the general direction of the flare sighting on the horizon but extinguishes within one minute or less. A hand-held flare burns for three minutes and can be used to localize or pinpoint more precisely the exact location or position of the party in trouble. An EPIRB both notifies or alerts authorities and at the same time provides position indication information.

Distress can be indicated by any of the following officially sanctioned methods:

• Transmitting a spoken voice Mayday message by radio over very high frequency channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and/or high frequency on 2182 kHz
• Transmitting a digital distress signal by activating (or pressing) the distress button (or key) on a marine radio equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) over the VHF (channel 70) and/or HF frequency bands.
• Transmitting a digital distress signal by activating (or pressing) the distress button (or key) on an Inmarsat-C satellite internet device
• Sending the Morse code group SOS (▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄▄) by light flashes or sounds
• Burning a red flare (either hand-held or aerial parachute flare)
• Launching distress rockets
• Emitting orange smoke from a canister
• Showing flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.)
• Raising and lowering slowly and repeatedly both arms outstretched to each side
• Making a continuous sound with any fog-signalling apparatus
• Firing a gun or other explosive signal at intervals of about a minute
• Flying the international maritime signal flags NC
• Displaying a visual signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball (round or circular in appearance)

#SOS #VDSs #DistressSignals

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