DISTRESS SIGNALS Maritime & Coastguard Agency LIFE SAVING SIGNALS

Communication and Innovation

To be used by Ships, Aircraft Bay 2/30, Spring Place For Ships, Aircraft
105 Commercial Road
or Persons in Distress Southampton SO15 1EG or Persons in Distress
Tel: +44 (0) 23 8032 9146
Fax: +44 (0) 23 8032 9204

FLARES Fire rocket

vertically. If windy fire 15°
downwind.
NEVER fire a parachute flare
if a helicopter is approaching.

Handheld pinpoint
In low cloud
flare shows exactly
fire at 45°.
where you are – use
inshore or in sight
of other vessels.

wind

Orange smoke for

NEVER fire into the wind.
use by day – especially
in bright sunlight.

wind

Hold at arm’s length downwind –

don’t look directly at the flare.

floating
orange smoke for use at night or in dull
conditions to pinpoint position

white collision THIS LEAFLET GIVES THE ILLUSTRATED

warning flare TABLE OF LIFE SAVING SIGNALS REQUIRED
BY V/29 OF SOLAS

long range
signal for use handheld
offshore orange smoke
MCA/099
Reproduced by kind permission of the RYA
LIFE SAVING SIGNALS
To be used by Ships, Aircraft or Persons in Distress
Search and Rescue Unit Replies
You have been seen, assistance will be given as soon
as possible.
OR
Orange smoke flare.
Surface to Air Signals
Message
I require assistance
I require medical assistance
No or negative
Yes or affirmative
Note: Use International Code of Signal
by means of lights or flags or by laying
out the symbol on the deck or ground
with items which have a high contrast to Proceeding in this direction
the background.
Air to Surface Direction Signals
Sequence of 3 manoeuvres meaning proceed to this direction.
1 2
➤
➤
➤
Circle vessel at least once. Cross low, ahead a vessel
rocking wings.
Your assistance is no longer required.
➤
➤
➤
Cross low, astern of vessel
rocking wings.
Shore to Ship Signals
Safe to land here.
OR
➤
➤
K
Vertical waving of both arms, white flag, light or flare. Morse code signal by light or sound.
Landing here is dangerous. Additional signals mean safer landing in direction indicated.
➤ ➤ ➤
OR
➤ ➤ ➤ S:
Morse code signals by light or sound.
R:
Horizontal waving of white flag, light or flare. Putting one Land to the right of your current heading.
Three white star signals or three light and
sound rockets fired at approximately flag, light or flare on ground and moving off with a second L:
1 minute intervals. indicates direction of safer landing. Land to the left of your current heading.
Air to Surface Replies
International ICAO
Message Understood.
Code of Signals Visual Signals OR OR OR
➤
V V OR
➤
T R
➤
W X
Flashing landing or navigation
Drop a message. Rocking wings. Morse code signal by light.
lights on and off twice.
N N Message Not Understood – Repeat.
OR OR
C Y
➤
➤
➔ R P T
Straight and level flight. Circling. Morse code signal by light.
Surface to Air Replies
Message Understood – I will comply.
3 OR OR
➤
➤
Overfly vessel and head Change course Morse code signal by light. Code & answering
in required direction. to required direction. pendant “Close Up”.
I am unable to comply. OR
N
Note: As a non preferred alternative to Note: Use the signal most appropriate
rocking wings, varying engine tone or to prevailling conditions, Morse code signal by light. International flag “N”.
volume may be used.