Distress Flares

Pyrotechnic signals used to indicate distress, attract attention or help rescuers locate people or a vessel.

Rocket parachute flares provide a high, long-range red light; red hand flares provide a shorter-range locating signal; and orange smoke signals aid daytime location. The correct signal depends on whether distant alerting or close-range location is required and on visibility and surroundings.

Flares contain hazardous energetic material and must be stored, handled, fired and disposed of exactly as instructed and permitted locally. Expiry dates and casing condition require checking, and a distress flare should not be fired for practice or celebration; electronic beacons and lights complement rather than change its recognised meaning.

Overview of flares and their uses

The table below outlines the different types and colours of flare and a brief description of their use.

Type	Colour	Use
Parachute Flare	Red	Indicating your distress when out of sight of other vessels. Rocket flares should be launched in pairs, approximately 1 to 2 mins apart.
	White	Illuminating a sea area. Useful if searching for a man overboard at night.
Hand-held Flare	Orange (smoke)	Providing directional guidance and wind indication for any search and rescue assets as they approach you.
	Red	Inidicating your distress when other vessels are nearby. Useful to hold the flare in the direction of potential help.
	White	Pinpoint indication of your location making visible your position. Used if you don’t believe a vessel on a collision course has seen you.
Buoyant Flare	Orange (smoke)	Providing directional guidance and wind indication for any search and rescue assets as they approach you.