DISTRESS SIGNALS

Fire rocket If windy fire 15°

Wave both arms vertically downwind
vertically Use handheld flare to pinpoint
precise position at night or in
Wind dull conditions

Parachute flare for use NEVER fire a parachute flare if a

at long range offshore helicoptor is approaching. In low cloud
fire at 45°
Floating orange White flare -
smoke collision warning
Hoist ‘V’ at Handheld orange smoke Wind
yardarm to pinpoint precise Orange smoke for use
position in bright by day - especially in
conditions NEVER fire into the wind strong sunlight.

Hoist anchor
ball over any
‘flag’ up
forestay

Signal Morse S O S by sound or light Reproduced by kind permission of the RYA

LIFE SAVING SIGNALS

Search and Rescue Unit Replies Shore to Ship Signals
You have been seen, assistance will be given as soon Safe to land here
as possible.
➤

➤
➤

➤
K
➤ ➤ ➤ Vertical waving of both arms, white flag, light or flare

Unsafe to land here. Additional signals mean safer landing in direction indicated

➤ ➤ ➤
R Land to your RIGHT

S
L Land to your LEFT

Orange smoke flare Three white star signals or three Horizontal waving of white flag, light or flare. Morse S.
light & sound rockets fired at Putting one flag, light or flare on groundand moving off with a second indicates
approx. 1 minute intervals. direction of safer landing.

Surface to Air Signals Air to Surface Replies

Message understood
Message International Code of Signals ICAO Visual
Signals Any one of:

I require assistance V V MORSE by light

➤

T
➤

I require medical assistance W W ➤

Drop a message Rocking wings Flashing landing or
navigation lights twice R
No or Negative N N Message NOT understood - Repeat
Any one of:
MORSE signal RPT by light
Yes or affirmative C Y ➤
➤

Proceeding in this direction
Straight and level flight Circling

Air to Surface Direction Signals Surface to Air Replies

Sequence of 3 manueuvres meaning proceed in this direction Message understood - I will comply

1 2 3
➤
➤

➤
➤
T
➤

Circle vessel at Cross low ahead of vessel Overfly vessel and head Change course to Morse code by light Code & answering
least once rocking wings in required direction required direction pendant “Close Up”
I am unable to comply
Your assistance is no longer required
As a non preferred alternative to N
rocking wings, varying engine tone
➤

or volume may be used. Morse code by light International flag N

➤

Reproduced by kind permission of MCA. It is believed that this document meets the requirements
of SOLAS V for leisure craft to carry an illustrated presentation of Life Saving Signals.
Cross low astern of vessel rocking wings Adapted by North West Venturers Yacht Club for cabin display.