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Weems & Plath SOS Distress Light with Distress Flag
USING MARINE DISTRESS SIGNALS
Operation and Inspection:
Acquaint yourself and all members aboard with emergency protocol and proper distress signal device use.
Before the boating season turn on your non-pyrotechnic device to make sure you know how it works and that the batteries are in good condition. If using pyrotechnic devices, check expiration dates and dispose of expired devices.
Disposal:
Your non-pyrotechnic (electronic) device never expires and can last the lifetime of your boat. Annually check and dispose of dead batteries.
Pyrotechnic devices expire 42 months after manufacturing and need to be disposed of properly to avoid danger to persons and environment. Check printed expiration dates and contact the manufacturer for advice on proper disposal of expired flares and flares that will expire in the upcoming boating season. Never throw expired devices overboard or in household trash. WARNING: It is illegal to use flare launchers as weapons or for any use other than emergency distress signaling. User may be subject to civil or criminal action under State Firearm Laws.
Use and Care:
Your non-pyrotechnic device is waterproof and submersible. Store in an easily accessible location on your boat and make all members aboard aware of location. Pyrotechnic devices need to be stored in a dry location on your boat. DO NOT store pyrotechnic devices loaded, as it may endanger those on the boat.
U.S. COAST GUARD COMPLIANT DAY AND NIGHT DISTRESS SIGNALS
SOS Distress Light proves to exceed requirements, after in-field testing
When getting ready to take a boat out on the water, checking emergency gear and protocol often ends up being on the bottom of the to-do list, if remembered at all.
It’s a common mistake made by many, because no one ever plans on having an emergency. However, it is crucial to make sure your boat and all passengers have the best devices to increase awareness and visibility of a stranded vessel.
The U.S. Coast Guard, has a list of items that each vessel is required to carry in order to enter open waters. Marine distress signal devices, flotation devices and sound signaling devices are just a few of the required emergency items that are required.
When looking for a distress device, visibility and duration of the signal is key to being found on water – especially at night.
Sirius Signal, a San Diego-based start-up, knows that a couple of minutes can make a huge difference when in an emergency situation. With the recent release of the SOS Distress Light, they hope to provide boaters and marine enthusiasts with the longest-lasting marine distress devices on the market.
Their device boasts a battery life that keeps its LED light at the peak required intensity for compliance, and total illumination of up to 60 hours. The distance visible is up to 10 nautical miles.
“Our product not only meets requirements, but exceeds them. We’ve spent a long time testing,” said Anthony Covelli, CEO of Sirius Signal.
The U.S. Coast Guard requires boaters to carry a minimum of 3 day/night marine flares or one non-pyrotechnic electronic distress device and an orange emergency flag. The pyrotechnic flare burn time ranges from a required minimum of just a few seconds to maximum of 3 minutes.
According to the 46 CFR 161.013 night visual distress signal requirements, each electronic distress device must: have a battery life of at least 6 hours, automatically flash the SOS signal and state that it meets U.S. Coast Guard compliancy.
“It’s a simple numbers game,” said Covelli. “The SOS Distress Light lasts 400 times longer.”
As the Sirius Signal device begins to attract more attention in the marine industry, users are confirming that the SOS Distress Light is not only a great alternative to marine flares, but a superior one.
