Boot Key Harbor
"Marathon- the Heart of the Florida Keys"

An On-Line Cruising Guide for the Florida Keys & Cuba
Best viewed at 1024x768 or higher

Signaling Devices

USE YOUR BROWSER BACK BUTTON TO RETURN TO THE PREVIOUS PAGE

We’re required by law to carry signaling devices on the boat. The bells and whistles are really more attention getting devices than distress signals. A mirror is a good attention getting device – especially if your boat’s engine and electrical system went dead during the day while you’re 15 miles out to sea fishing!! (btw – this is a GREAT use for all those zillions of AOL Cd-Roms everyone gets – use them as a reflective signaling mirror on your boat, and use the hole in the center for sighting) Rather than review the required coast guard signals, this is a memory jogger to help you remember why different signals might be really important to you, besides just requirement. Most don’t really stop to think about the “what ifs” if we get stuck out there in our boats. Everyone thinks they’ll just pick up the radio or cell phone and call for help. Think again. That may work most of the time, but you’re critically dependant upon reliable signaling devices like good flares when you’re in the worst trouble – maybe the boat overturned – lost your cell phone and killed your radio. Miami CG just recently rescued an overturned family way offshore. They were lucky that someone went by in the night and heard them screaming. Here you could have still recovered and used your flares (ensure a proper bag) – but what kind? Smoke flares – handheld or cans in the water are good in daytime, especially in aerial searches. USCG requires 3 day and 3 night devices and flame flares cover both. Red flares are the distress signals – either handheld or aerial (meteor). White flares are used to warn other boats of possible collision, and to look for lost things in the water at night. The little Skyblazer meteor flares are a joke – don’t bother equipping your boat with them – maybe the vest of your lifejackets or dinghy. 12 ga USCG flares are better, but if you really were in trouble you’d much prefer the reliability and visibility of the 25mm meteor flares (they also make great self defense weapons on the boat). SOLAS (safety of life at sea) is really the way to go though for those that boat seriously offshore. You’ll cringe at the cash register, but you’ll be seen. The red parachute flares go up 1500 feet and burn for 40 seconds at 30,000cp. How much is the life of your family worth anyway? Stay floating!

P/C Gregory Absten