SOS light

salishmermaid · May 4, 2014

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/cg5214/vds.asp#160.072

ELECTRIC S-O-S DISTRESS LIGHT
APPROVAL CATEGORY: 161.013

APPROVAL GUIDANCE & INFORMATION: This is an alternative to flares for recreational boats. It is required to automatically flash S-O-S. Light intensity and duration requirements apply. Electric S-O-S distress lights are self-certified by the manufacturer. The Coast Guard does not issue approvals or keep an authenticated list of manufacturers. Approval standards for these lights are found in Title 46 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Subpart 161.013.

http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/granule/CFR-2009-title46-vol6/CFR-2009-title46-vol6-part161-subpart161-013/content-detail.html

The certification is left to the manufacturer and should be marked with the following words—
‘‘Night Visual Distress Signal for
Boats Complies with U. S. Coast Guard
Requirements in 46 CFR 161.013. For
Emergency Use Only.’’

I did a quick Google Search and didn't find any that clearly stated they met these requirements. Some mentioned USCG and that they met one requirement for how long they would last or if they met the Morse Code requirements, but not that they met all of them.

https://www.google.com/search?q=uscg+approved+sos+flashing+light&rlz=1C1CHFX_enUS567US567&oq=uscg+approved+sos+flashing+light&aqs=chrome..69i57.15487j0j9&sourceid=chrome&es_sm=122&ie=UTF-8#q=uscg+approved+sos+flashing+light&tbm=shop&spd=4133273827014744962

Bill Roosa · May 4, 2014

I would opt for a momentary contact switch on my anchor light. Also have an "always on - signal" switch to cut out the momentary contact switch for normal anchor light operation.
With this set up you can communicate with anybody in visual range using Morse code.
another reason to be a Ham radio operator!!!!!

Ron20324 · May 4, 2014

A light will be no good if a bulb or battery dies and leaves you with nothing. Like navigation, the prudent mariner will have more than one source of emergency signaling. If the CG does not say they (SOS) are MANDATORY, then I would doubt if they have dictated strict performance requirements. Yes, to say you MAY use them is not to say you HAVE to use them and need not carry flares. How many sailors look at the lights twinkling in the sky and try to decipher what they are blinking in Morse Code?

Captn TJ · May 4, 2014

Ken Cross said:
Along with a distress flag it's finally a legal alternative to flares. Flares are a fire hazard so I thought this may be better. Having said that I've safely carried a flare gun and flares since they were first mandated (in the early 80s if my memory serves me correctly.) Once again, where can we get them? I would think any marine supply center would have them, but not so. Phil: are you listening?

Alternate view: I've found you have to be fairly close to the boat in distress to see their flag. I don't carry one and would prefer to rely on my flares.

SOS light would work as long as it doesn't rely on the boats electrical system to be energized. A light such as strobes used for PFD's would work but would have to be hoisted for maximum visibility. But then.....what happens if you're demasted? Just saying...

Les · May 4, 2014

My wife just bought me a searchlight that has three modes: bright spot, lesser spot and the SOS mode. It's quite bright and I suspect it would last throughout the night. I would aim it toward where I would think people were. We got it from West Marine--it's their brand of search light.

I also carried the emergency flag, flares, and a handheld electric horn. If something else comes on the market for safety I'll probably will get it as well.

Chris Patterson · May 5, 2014

Les said:
My wife just bought me a searchlight that has three modes: bright spot, lesser spot and the SOS mode. It's quite bright and I suspect it would last throughout the night. I would aim it toward where I would think people were. We got it from West Marine--it's their brand of search light.

I also carried the emergency flag, flares, and a handheld electric horn. If something else comes on the market for safety I'll probably will get it as well.

Them's wise words from a sailing master, folks..

Rick Webb · May 5, 2014

If You Have Seen Them in Action

You would be much less prone to rely on the 12 Gauge flares. The hand held flares or smoke signals are much more likely to be seen.

As far as the SOS light goes the person who sees it has to know what they are looking at. Many are going to see it and wonder what is that flashing light out there? You must also replace the batteries annually so I do not think you will save that much over buying flares.

Ron20324 · May 5, 2014

Lights being most useful when it is dark, they would be of little good in the daylight. Any light would be like sunshine refecting off some part of a boat or the water.

Where did the OP see "Our current USCG regulations now allow USCG approved (SOS flashing) lights for night use"?

FourPoints · May 5, 2014

FWIW, I carry a set of non expired 12ga flares current dates for USCG compliance ($8 IIRC), and I have a good dozen handheld flares that are expired by a couple years in the event of a real problem.

The 12ga flares go about 150ft up and are visible for total of 1.5 - 2 seconds if shot straight up, and let off almost no smoke. Handheld flares burn for 10-15 minutes and give off a smoke cloud that is visible in the day time.

StinkBug · May 7, 2014

The big advantage I see with a light, especially an LED is that it can stay lit and continue putting out that SOS flash pattern for hours, if not days. A flare only burns so long, and someone has to be looking your direction to see it. When you add in the huge fire hazard I think the light for Night use is a great alternative.

Gary_H · May 7, 2014

Flares never seem to work, that's why I find that standing in your life raft, setting a fire in a plastic container using the pages of your logbook works fine, especially if you let your raft catch fire too. The resuers will either see you or.. it won't matter much after that.

FourPoints · May 7, 2014

Gary_H said:
Flares never seem to work, that's why I find that standing in your life raft, setting a fire in a plastic container using the pages of your logbook works fine, especially if you let your raft catch fire too. The resuers will either see you or.. it won't matter much after that.

uncited movie rip off... :naughty:

tommays · May 7, 2014

Well

Normal flares are in fact fairly useless

Again during safety at sea they sent a boat off the dock X distance and set off everything as well as trained you on land in safe use

Everything SOLAS is massively brighter than what we buy

The only thing that did much in the daytime was the SOLAS orange smoke can

Chenega · May 7, 2014

tommays said:
Well Normal flares are in fact fairly useless Again during safety at sea they sent a boat off the dock X distance and set off everything as well as trained you on land in safe use Everything SOLAS is massively brighter than what we buy The only thing that did much in the daytime was the SOLAS orange smoke can

This past summer, on a great sail from Martha's Vineyard to Groton, CT, we were running up Fisher's Island Sound off Mystic. We spotted a boat about four miles away sending up smoke flares. It was overcast, but was easy to spot the orange smoke followed by Aerial flares. We change corse and headed towards them, and contacted Coast Guard Long Island Sound. It was then we were told it was a test / demonstration we didn't hear over the VHF. Whew! All's well...

Fast forward a month later... Sitting at my mooring one late evening, I noticed about 3-5 miles away in Fisher's Island sound what I thought were aerial flares and hand held flares off an area again towards Mystic River. Shined my spot light in their direction (flashing) and got a repeated return spot light with flares. Fired up the engine and again called the Coast Guard to learn it was a demonstration for a yacht club group. Did I feel stupid? No, I will always follow the same procedure. Flares, daytime smoke flares both work so bring plenty of them! Bring anything to attract your position and distress. Be sure you have a working VHF and backup. If you've never been in distress, be assured it is a lonely and frightening situation. But most of all, if you see others signaling, respond!

emergpa1 · May 8, 2014

Ken Cross said:
Along with a distress flag it's finally a legal alternative to flares. Flares are a fire hazard so I thought this may be better. Having said that I've safely carried a flare gun and flares since they were first mandated (in the early 80s if my memory serves me correctly.) Once again, where can we get them? I would think any marine supply center would have them, but not so. Phil: are you listening?

Alright.

emergpa1 · May 8, 2014

And the reference

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