Marine Pyrotechnic

A signal or device that uses a controlled energetic chemical reaction to produce light, smoke, sound or heat.

Marine pyrotechnics include rocket parachute flares, hand flares, smoke signals and line-throwing cartridges. Their colour, duration, altitude and pattern carry recognised meanings or serve particular alerting and locating functions; not every pyrotechnic is a distress signal.

They contain hazardous material and can cause fire, burns, toxic smoke or impact injury. Storage, carriage, firing, expiry, training and disposal must follow the product instructions and applicable law, and live distress signals should not be used for informal practice or celebration.

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.