Distress signal
Distress signals are signals that indicate to other road users that people or ships are in distress . So it is an emergency call .
The distress signals are given by distress signal means.
Distress signals
Flares show others by emitting distress signals a distress to. There are smoke signals , flag signals , signal rockets , light signals , sound signals and other emergency signals .
In general, the following color codes are used:
- red (also: orange ): distress at sea
- white : Warning signal (e.g. to inform another vehicle of its obligation to evade, or by the Bundeswehr / BGS in the event of "illegal" entry of a sport boat into a shooting area with ongoing shooting: white here means "stop the vehicle"; the sport boat becomes a security vehicle, escort out into the firing area)
- green : undefined, can be understood as the cancellation of a previous (red) distress signal
In case of doubt, however, all perceived potential distress signals, regardless of their color, must be taken seriously. If a distress signal has been given, although there was no need for it, helpers may be entitled to compensation.
The following international distress signals are used (see Appendix IV of the Collision Prevention Rules ):
- visually
- Firing a parachute flare with a red glow
- Show a hand torch with a red glow
- Show orange smoke signals
- Firing a rocket with red stars in short intervals
- Set the flag signal "NC" ( November Charlie , Internationales Signalbuch ), flag "N" over "C", s. Flag alphabet
- Slow, synchronous lateral raising and lowering of the arms ( tired fly )
- Signal in the mast from a square flag and above or below a ball
- Emission of the SOS signal by light signals: short short short long long long short short short ··· −−− ···
- Flames on the vehicle, for example burning tar or oil cans
- Sea water coloring
- acoustically
- Wireless
- Spoken " Mayday " on a marine radio voice channel
- GMDSS distress message via VHF channel 70, border or short wave (by means of a DSC controller with ship identification MMSI , position, time, type of distress at sea) plus subsequent distress message via VHF radio channel 16 or one or more border or shortwave speech or telex -Emergency frequencies
- Permitted characters that are transmitted via radio (e.g. EPIRB marine buoys , radio data transmission )
- Transmission of the SOS signal by Morse code via radio
- Emergency call via the international amateur radio service (not mentioned in the collision prevention rules , but spoken Mayday and Morsted SOS are not tied to a specific frequency in order to be legally effective).
It is permissible and sensible to make several emergency calls at the same time, for example first firing a signal rocket and then sending a Mayday message via marine radio . If an emergency call has been made via the DSC controller in accordance with GMDSS, the MMSI must be reported in the subsequent emergency call via radio or radio telex to avoid confusion. However, the skipper should decide which means are appropriate in the current situation. Firing all missiles is of little use if there is no prospect of anyone seeing them. The concept consists of two stages: Parachute signal missiles are used to inform distant ships or other parties involved that an emergency has occurred and roughly point in the direction in which the victim is. Rescuers in sight are shown the exact position with a hand torch or smoke signal
Legal basis
SOLAS regulates the carriage requirements for distress signal means for commercial shipping and for charter and training vessels. However, it is urgently advisable for every skipper to keep such a device in stock and to be familiar with its handling.
In the maritime sector , the notification of emergencies at sea is regulated internationally in Annex IV of the collision prevention rules and the international signal book or the manual for search and rescue .
The improper use constitutes an offense in Germany (misuse of emergency signs according to § 145 StGB and / or violation according to the Weapons Act). The abuse also results in enormous claims for damages worldwide, provided it has an external impact.
Pyrotechnic distress signals
The acquisition and possession of pyrotechnic distress signaling devices is strictly regulated in Germany. The pyrotechnic distress signaling devices are divided into two groups.
Subclass T1
Pyrotechnic distress signals that are fired once from the hand are subject to the Explosives Act and thus sub-class T1. Anyone over the age of 18 can acquire these signaling devices.
The pyrotechnic distress signaling means of subclass T1 include z. B .:
- Hand torches
- Distress signal transmitter with a rise of up to 60 meters (signal transmitter and their ammunition, which are not subject to the WaffG).
Subclass T2
With the certificate of qualification for distress signals , holders of a sports boat license are authorized to purchase pyrotechnic distress signals of sub-class T2.
The pyrotechnic distress signaling means of subclass T2 include z. B .:
- Signal rockets or parachute signal rockets with a rise of up to 300 meters
- certain smoke signals (mostly in commercial shipping)
If signal rockets are fired from a launcher for multiple use (e.g. NICO signal) or a distress signal pistol caliber 4 (26.5 mm) (signal pistols and their ammunition according to PM2), these are subject to the Weapons Act . A gun ownership card is then required for possession . Proof of competence for distress signals is required to obtain this .
See also
Web links
- Overview of the European Sailing Information System (ESYS)
- Legal overview of distress signals (PDF), as of 02/2020.
