What to Do When You See Emergency Flares at Sea
“Flares off the port bow!” Shouted the on-watch crew. First there were two, then one more followed. It was late at night with about 25 knots of wind and 6-8 foot seas off of the eastern seaboard of the United States. The rest of us clamored up on deck to verify what was being observed. Sure enough, distress flares were high in the sky.
Seeing emergency flares at sea is a sobering experience, and knowing how to respond properly can make the difference between life and death for those in distress. Understanding the proper steps to take and your obligations under maritime law is essential. Here are the steps we took when finding ourselves in this situation just a few weeks ago, early November of 2024.
First of all, any emergency signal must be treated as a serious distress signal. That’s easy to say, but with rough conditions offshore at night, the last thing I wanted to do was to divert course and extend our destination ETA. Ignoring flares is not an option.
Remember when the ship the Californian ignored flares at sea and thought the other vessel was just celebrating? The Californian’s crew turned off the radio and went to sleep while they were less than an hour away from the vessel in distress. Lives were lost while the Titanic sunk within sight of the Californian. Don’t be them.
The Steps to Follow One Flares are Observed:
Note the Bearing: As soon as you spot a flare, note the direction (bearing) using your compass or chart plotter. This will help you determine where the distress signal originated.
Write down your Latitude and Longitude position. These two pieces of information will be helpful for the authorities to locate the vessel in distress.
Change Course: That new bearing is now your heading.
Estimate the Distance: Try to estimate how far away the flare is. Parachute flares can be seen up to 25 miles away, while handheld flares may be within a few miles.
Keep a Visual Watch: Assign crew to keep watch on the bearing where the flare was seen. Look for additional flares, smoke, or other signs of distress.
Check the VHF Radio: Keep tuned to Channel 16 (the international distress and calling frequency). Listen for any distress calls or broadcasts related to the flare. If no distress call is heard, proceed with the next steps.
Report the Sighting: Contact the nearest Coast Guard or maritime authority via Channel 16. Provide the following information:
A. Your vessel’s name and position
B. The bearing and estimated distance to the flare
C. Exact time flare was first observed
8. Proceed to Assist: If you’re able to assist without endangering your own vessel and crew, maritime law (the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea – SOLAS) requires you to offer assistance. Move toward the location carefully, maintaining communication with the Coast Guard.
Be Prepared: As you approach the area, ensure your vessel is ready for potential rescue operations. This includes:
Preparing life-saving equipment (life rings, life jackets, etc.)
Having crew members on watch for people in the water or distressed vessels
Being ready to render aid until the authorities arrive
Legal Obligations
Under international maritime law (SOLAS Chapter V, Regulation 33), any vessel that sees a distress signal is obligated to assist if they can do so without serious danger to their own vessel or crew. Failure to render assistance can result in severe legal consequences and penalties.
The regulation states:"The master of a ship at sea which is in a position to be able to provide assistance on receiving a signal from any source that persons are in distress at sea, is bound to proceed with all speed to their assistance."
However, if you are unable to assist, stay on station and relay information as needed until help arrives.
The Outcome of Our Encounter
We followed the steps through step 7. The US Coast Guard had us stand by on channel 16, then came back with some information that was a huge relief to us. There was a training mission going on in that vicinity, and the flares were not an actual emergency. The sleepy on-watch crew was now wide awake! The false alarm was a good learning experience for the crew. We are all better prepared for the next time when there may be an actual emergency.
Stay vigilant, stay safe, and stay awake on watch.
Capt. Jeff Bowen
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