Distress signals include: a gun or explosive signal at approximately 1-minute intervals; a continuous sounding with fog signalling apparatus; rockets or shells throwing red stars; SOS by any method; signal NC by ICS flags; a square flag with a ball above or below it; flames; orange-coloured smoke; slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering of outstretched arms; a distress alert by DSC on VHF Ch70; a SART signal; radiotelephone Mayday; an EPiRB signal; red parachute flare or red hand flare; dye marker.
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Annex IV – Distress Signals
Plain-language COLREGS reference with the complete rule text and practical clause breakdown.
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