Rules of the Road · Distress Signals

Firing a gun or other explosive at intervals of approximately 1 minute is recognized as a distress signal under which authority?

Explanation

Annex IV paragraph 1(a) lists 'a gun or other explosive signal fired at intervals of approximately 1 minute' as a recognized distress signal. Rule 37 simply states that a vessel in distress shall use the signals described in Annex IV; the specific signals are enumerated in Annex IV, not in Rule 37 itself.

Authority: 72 COLREGS Annex IV, paragraph 1(a)

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