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SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-distress-signals-where-required

Where does the federal visual distress signal carriage rule apply?

Coastal waters, the Great Lakes and territorial seas, plus connected waters.

  1. On every lake and river
  2. Coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and territorial seas ✔
  3. Only more than 12 miles offshore

Why: 33 CFR 175 requires visual distress signals on coastal waters, the U.S. Great Lakes, territorial seas, and connected waters until they narrow to 2 nautical miles wide. Signals are still smart everywhere.

Huh, didn't know that: Boats under 16 feet only need night signals, and only when out between sunset and sunrise.

The dad joke
What do you call a lake that brags a lot? A great lake.
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Sources

  1. USCG A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2023) https://www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/Boaters-Guide-to-Federal-Requirements-for-Receational-Boats-20231108.pdf
  2. 33 CFR 175.110 Visual distress signals required (eCFR) https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/section-175.110

Test yourself in the game

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