To meet the requirement for the number of vdss on board, what must be true about pyrotechnic vdss

USCG regulations prohibit display of distress signals except when a distress actually exists. You should only use distress signals when help is close enough to see the signal. The USCG recognizes both pyrotechnic and non-pyrotechnic devices.

A minimum of three pyrotechnic devices must be carried. Pyrotechnic VDSs must be USCG approved, in serviceable condition, and readily accessible.

The following combinations of signals are examples of Pyrotechnic VDSs that could be carried onboard to satisfy USCG requirements:

• Three hand-held red flares (day and night).
• One hand-held red flare and two red meteors (day and night).
• One hand-held orange smoke signal (day), two floating orange smoke signals (day) and one electric light (night only).

Pyrotechnic devices

Pyrotechnic red flares, hand-held or aerial

Pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand-held or floating

Launchers for aerial red meteors

Parachute flares 

Information about the use of flares

• Read and understand the instructions.
• Note expiration date and replace as necessary.
• Hold lighted flares downwind and over the side of the boat.
• Do not point them at anyone and hold away from your body.
• Store in a watertight container such as a Ziploc bag.
• Store where readily accessible and ready to use.
• Use only in case of an emergency.

Non-Pyrotechnic Devices

Orange distress flag

The Orange distress flag is required only for recreational boats more than 20 feet in length. Day use only.

Electric distress signal 

Like a flashlight (night use only)

Arm signal

Or, within sight of another person, you can signal distress by extending both arms out and raising them up and down. Arm signal does not meet equipment requirements but if you do not have any other distress signals, wave your arms to summon HELP.

All vessels used on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, territorial seas, and those waters connected directly to them up to a point where a body of water is less than two miles wide, must be equipped with USCG approved visual distress signals (VDS). Vessels owned in the United States operating on the high seas must be equipped with USCG approved visual distress signals.

These vessels are not required to carry day signals but must carry night signals when operating from sunset to sunrise:

• Recreational boats less than 16 feet in length.
• Boats participating in organized events such as races, regattas, or marine parades.
• Open sailboats less than 26 feet in length not equipped with propulsion machinery.
• Manually propelled boats.

These signaling devices must be in serviceable condition, stowed where readily accessible and marked with a date showing serviceable life. Make sure they have not expired. Distress flares, smoke flares and meteor rockets have expiration dates 42 months after the date of manufacture.

A visual distress signal (VDS) is any device that can alert and help others to locate your boat in the event of an emergency.

A VDS can’t be used unless there is an emergency and help is needed. Breaking the law can come with serious penalties.

All recreational boats operating in the coastal waters of the U.S., the Great Lakes or bodies of water connected to the U.S. coastal waters and Great Lakes, up to the point where the water is less than 2 miles wide, are required to be have a VDS on board.

Boats owned in the U.S. must carry VDSs when operating in international waters.

During daytime hours, the following vessels are not required to carry distress signals.

• Boats less than 16 feet in length
• Boats participating in regattas and other organized events
• Open sailboats under 26 feet in length that are not equipped with an engine
• Manually propelled boats like canoes and kayaks

Such boats are only required to carry nighttime VDSs when operating at night in the above-listed waters.

Types of VDSs

• Day Signal: Visible in sunlight
• Night Signal: Visible in the dark
• Anytime Signal: Visible in daylight and at night
• Pyrotechnic Device: Uses smoke and flame
• Non-Pyrotechnic Device: Not combustible

Pyrotechnic VDSs

All pyrotechnic distress signals must be USCG–approved, in working condition, unexpired, and ready to use in an emergency.

There are four types of pyrotechnic VDSs.

• Type A: Parachute flares
• Type B: Multi-star flare
• Type C: Handheld flare
• Type D: Orange Smoke flare

USCG–approved pyrotechnic VDSs include the following.

• Aerial or hand-held flares
• Aerial or hand-held orange smoke flares
• Red meteor or parachute flares
• Associated launchers of these signals

Non-Pyrotechnic Visual Distress Signals

Non-pyrotechnic VDSs must carry a manufacturer’s certification that shows they meet USCG requirements.

These must be kept in working condition and in an easily accessible location.

Handling and Storage of VDSs

These devices should be kept in a watertight container (such as a surplus ammunition box) to ensure they stay in good working condition. Boxes should be painted red or orange and marked as “Distress Signals.” Ensure these are kept in a safe place and out of the reach of children.

Acceptable Combinations of Visual Distress Signals

Vessels should carry a minimum of three devices that can be used in either daytime or nighttime. Some acceptable combinations include the following.

• Three handheld flares
• One electric distress light and three handheld orange smoke distress signals
• One handheld red flare and two parachute flares
• One handheld orange smoke signal, two floating orange smoke signals, and one electric distress light

Other Signaling and Sound-Producing Devices

Anytime Use

Marine Radio

• Channel 16, 156.8 MHz (VHF)
• DSC alert, channel 70 (only for DSC-type radios and where the service is offered)
• 21–82 KHz (MF)

                                                                                                                                                  Sound-Producing Device

• Continuous sound (foghorn, bell, or whistle)
• Gun or other explosive signal fired at one- minute intervals

EPIRB

Flashlight

• Flash the S.O.S. signal (short-short-short long-long-long short-short-short)

Distress Cloth

• Flown from the mast or laid on the roof

Dye Marker

• Releases orange dye into the water that marks the water around the boat

Code Flags

• Display a square over or under a circle or the letter N over the letter C

Arm Signal

• Repeatedly raise and lower outstretched arms

VHF Radio

A VHF radio is not required to be carried by recreational boaters but is recommended for communication with other boaters, the USCG, commercial vessels, marinas, and lock operators.

Recreational boats under 20 meters in length are not required to have a station license to operate unless traveling to foreign ports or transmitting to foreign stations. VHF radio is enforced by the USCG.

Boats under 20 meters in length or vessels under 65 feet that are not traveling into foreign ports or transmitting on a foreign station are not required to have a station license to use a VHF radio.

The below chart shows all available channels for recreational boaters.

Marine weather stations (WX-1, WX-2, and WX-3) broadcast the National Weather Service continuously. Forecasts are updated every six hours unless conditions require them to be more frequent.