A gun or other explosive signal

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(a) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of about a minute.

A continuous sounding

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(b) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use a continuous sounding with any fog signalling apparatus.

Rockets or shells, throwing red stars

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(c) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals.

SOS signal in the Morse Code

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(d) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use a signal made by any signalling method consisting of the group
- - - (SOS) in the Morse Code.

Spoken word "MAYDAY"

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(e) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word MAYDAY.

International Code Signal - N.C.

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(f) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
exhibit the International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C.

A square flag having above or below it a

ball

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(g) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
exhibit a signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball anything resembling a ball.

Flames on the vessel

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(h) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.).

A rocket parachute flare or a hand flare

showing a red light

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(i) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use a rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light.

A smoke signal giving off orangecoloured smoke

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(j) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke.

Raising and lowering arms outstretched

to each side

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(k) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side.

A distress alert by means of digital

selective calling (DSC)

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(l) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use a distress alert by means of digital selective calling (DSC):
(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.

A ship-to-shore distress alert

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(m) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may

use a ship-to-shore distress alert transmitted by the ships Inmarsat or other mobile satellite service
provider ship earth station.

EPIRB

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(n) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use signals transmitted by emergency position indicating radio beacons.

Approved signals transmitted by

radiocommunication systems

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 1(o) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may

use approved signals transmitted by radiocommunication systems, including survival craft radar
transponders.

Orange coloured canvas with a black

square and circle

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 3(a) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
exhibit a piece of orange coloured canvas with either a black square and circle or other appropriate
symbol (for identification from the air).

Dye marker

Rule(s) to be applied:Rule 37 (Distress signals)

Applying the Rule(s) and comments:In accordance with Rule 37 (Distress signals)
and Annex IV 3(b) (Distress signals), when a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she may
use a dye marker.