Maritime Questions › Day Skipper Safety Distress

Which flare type is MOST effective in daylight and which is MOST effective at night?

Q: Which flare type is MOST effective in daylight and which is MOST effective at night?

Day: orange smoke flare. Night: red parachute rocket Orange smoke is highly visible in daylight, especially from aircraft. Red parachute rockets are seen much farther at night and burn at altitude for ~40 seconds. Red hand flares are useful at short range to guide rescuers. Always fire downwind and follow manufacturer instructions.

A. Red parachute rockets are equally effective day and night

B. White hand flare for day; EPIRB at night

C. Day: orange smoke flare. Night: red parachute rocket

D. Day: red hand flare. Night: orange smoke

A yacht is sinking. What is the correct sequence for a VHF Mayday call?

A. Press DSC button and wait — no voice call needed

B. "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY — This is [vessel name x3] — MAYDAY [name] — Position — Nature of distress — Number of persons — Any other information — Over"

C. "PAN PAN PAN — This is [vessel name] — Position — We require assistance — Over"

D. "MAYDAY — This is [vessel name] — We are sinking — Over"

When should a PAN PAN be transmitted instead of a MAYDAY?

A. When a person has gone overboard

B. Pan Pan is only used for medical emergencies

C. When there is an urgent situation that requires assistance but life is not in immediate danger — e.g. engine failure with crew unharmed in a safe anchorage

D. Pan Pan is used when you cannot raise anyone on Mayday

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