RE: [Paddlewise] SOS safety light - is this new?

From: Steve Holtzman <sh_at_actglobal.net>
Date: Sun, 4 May 2003 21:40:00 -0700
Keith Wrage said:
> Is it only on inland waters where a flashing white strobe is 
> considered an 
> emergency beacon?  I know some like to use flashing white 
> lights on their 
> kayaks to make themselves visible to pwer boat traffic....but 
> I always 
> thought flashing white meant "send help"?

Keith,

I had a conversation with the local Coast Guard Station here in CA last
summer. They told me that for the International Rules, a flashing light
is NOT a distress signal but that it was still illegal to use one to
make yourself visible because it does not follow the prescribed lights
for any type of craft.

They informally said to save it for emergency use only because it is
more visible than a flare.

Steve Holtzman
Southern, CA


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Received on Sun May 04 2003 - 21:40:13 PDT

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