1625-0019 Stat/Authority

33 CFR Part 87 (up to date as of 6/24/2024)
Annex IV: Distress Signals

33 CFR Part 87 (June 24, 2024)

This content is from the eCFR and is authoritative but unofficial.

Title 33 —Navigation and Navigable Waters
Chapter I —Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
Subchapter E —Inland Navigation Rules
Part 87 Annex IV: Distress Signals
§ 87.01 Need of assistance.
§ 87.02 Exclusive use.
§ 87.03 Supplemental signals.

PART 87—ANNEX IV: DISTRESS SIGNALS
Authority: Sec. 303, Pub. L. 108-293, 118 Stat. 1042 (33 U.S.C. 2071); Department of Homeland Security
Delegation No. 0170.1.

Source: 79 FR 37925, July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted.

§ 87.01 Need of assistance.
The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate distress and need of assistance:
(a) A gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute;
(b) A continuous sounding with any fog-signaling apparatus;
(c) Rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals;
(d) A signal made by any method consisting of the group . . . - - - . . . (SOS) in the 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-colored smoke;

(k) Slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side;
(l)

A distress alert by means of digital selective calling (DSC) transmitted on:
(i)

VHF channel 70, or

(ii) MF/HF on the frequencies 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kHz, 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz or 16804.5
kHz;
33 CFR 87.01(l)(ii) (enhanced display)

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33 CFR Part 87 (up to date as of 6/24/2024)
Annex IV: Distress Signals

33 CFR 87.01(m)

(m) A ship-to-shore distress alert transmitted by the ship's Inmarsat or other mobile satellite service provider
ship earth station;
(n) Signals transmitted by emergency position-indicating radio beacons;
(o) Signals transmitted by radiocommunication systems, including survival craft radar transponders meeting
the requirements of 47 CFR 80.1095; and
(p) A high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals from 50 to 70 times per minute.

§ 87.02 Exclusive use.
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.

§ 87.03 Supplemental signals.
Attention is drawn to the relevant sections of the International Code of Signals, the International Aeronautical and
Maritime Search and Rescue Manual, Volume III, the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations and
the following signals:
(a) A piece of orange-colored canvas with either a black square and circle or other appropriate symbol (for
identification from the air);
(b) A dye marker.

33 CFR 87.03(b) (enhanced display)

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