PURSUIT C 260, Owner'S Manual, Page: 68 / 124

LS 265
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plus one throwable device (Type IV).
VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS:
All Pursuit boats used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and those waters connected directly
to them, must be equipped with Coast Guard approved visual distress signals. These signals are either
Pyrotechnic or Non-Pyrotechnic devices.
PYROTECHNIC VISUAL DISTRESS SIGNALS:
Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be Coast Guard approved, in serviceable condition, and readily
accessible. They are marked with a date showing the service life, which must not have expired. A minimum
of three are required. Some pyrotechnic signals meet both day and night use requirements. They should be
stored in a cool, dry location. They include:
• Pyrotechnic red flares, hand held or aerial.
• Pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held or floating.
• Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute flares.
PYROTECHNICS ARE UNIVERSALLY RECOGNIZED AS EXCELLENT DISTRESS SIGNALS.
HOWEVER, THERE IS POTENTIAL FOR INJURY AND PROPERTY DAMAGE IF NOT PROP-
ERLY HANDLED. THESE DEVICES PRODUCE A VERY HOT FLAME AND THE RESIDUE
CAN CAUSE BURNS AND IGNITE FLAMMABLE MATERIAL. PISTOL LAUNCHED AND
HAND-HELD PARACHUTE FLARES AND METEORS HAVE MANY CHARACTERISTICS OF
A FIREARM AND MUST BE HANDLED WITH CAUTION. IN SOME STATES THEY ARE
CONSIDERED A FIREARM AND PROHIBITED FROM USE. ALWAYS BE EXTREMELY
CAREFUL AND FOLLOW THE MANUFACTURER'S INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY WHEN US-
ING PYROTECHNIC DISTRESS SIGNALS.
NON-PYROTECHNIC DEVICES:
Non-Pyrotechnic visual distress signals must be in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and certified by
the manufacturer as complying with U.S. Coast Guard requirements. They include:
• Orange Distress Flag. (Day use only)
The distress flag is a day signal only. It must be at least 3 x 3 feet with a black square and ball on an orange
background. It is most distinctive when attached and waved from a paddle or boat hook.
• Electric Distress Light. (Night use only)
The electric distress light is accepted for night use only and must automatically flash the international SOS.
distress signal. Under Inland Navigation Rules, a high intensity white light flashing at regular intervals
from 50-70 times per minute is considered a distress signal.
SOUND SIGNALING DEVICES:
The navigation rules require sound signals to be made under certain circumstances. Recreational vessels are
also required to sound fog signals during periods of reduced visibility. Therefore, you must have some means
of making an efficient sound signal.