Section 6692 - Visual Distress Signals-Required(a) Applicability. Except for Section 6692.1 of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations, these rules apply to boats on coastal waters of California as defined in (b) (2) of this section.(b) Definitions. (1) "Visual distress signal" means a device that is approved by the Commandant of the United States Coast Guard under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 160, or certified by the manufacturer under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 160 and 161.(2) "Coastal Waters" means the high seas of the State of California as defined in Section 6552(f) of Title 14 of the California Code of Regulations.(3) "Passenger" means every person carried on board a vessel other than: (A) The owner or his representative;(C) Bona fide members of the crew engaged in the business of the vessel who have contributed no consideration for their carriage and who are paid for their services; or(D) Any guest on board a vessel which is being used exclusively for pleasure purposes who has not contributed any consideration, directly or indirectly, for his carriage.(c) Visual distress signals required.(1) No person may use a boat 16 feet or more in length or any boat carrying six or less passengers for hire unless visual distress signals selected from the list in paragraph (i) of this section, or the alternatives in paragraph (j) of this section in the number required are on board. Devices suitable for day use and devices suitable for night use, or devices suitable for both day and night use must be carried.(2) Between sunset and sunrise, no person may use a boat less than 16 feet in length unless visual distress signals, suitable for night use, selected from the list in paragraph (i) of this section, or paragraph (j) of this section, in the number required are on board.(d) Launchers. When a visual distress signal carried to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section requires a launcher to activate, then a launcher approved under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 160.28, must also be carried.(e) Exceptions. The following persons need not comply with paragraph (c) of this section; however, each must carry on board visual distress signals suitable for night use, selected from the list in paragraph (i), or paragraph (j) of this section, in the number required, between sunset and sunrise: (1) A person competing in any organized marine parade, regatta, race, or similar event;(2) A person using a manually propelled boat; or(3) A person using a sailboat of completely open construction not equipped with propulsion machinery, under 26 feet in length.(f) Stowage. No person may use a boat unless the visual distress signals required by paragraph (c) of this section are readily accessible.(g) Serviceability. No person may use a boat unless each signal required by paragraph (c) of this section is in serviceable condition, and the service life of the signal, if indicated by a date marked on the signal, has not expired.(h) Marking. No person may use a boat unless each signal required by paragraph (c) of this section is legibly marked with the approval number or certification statement, as specified in Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Parts 160 and 161.(i) Visual distress signals accepted. Any of the signals listed in the following table, when carried in the number required, can be used to meet the requirements of paragraph (c) of this section. (1) An electric distress light meeting the standards of 46 CFR 161.013. One is required to meet the night only requirement.(2) An orange flag meeting the standards of 46 CFR 160.072. One is required to meet the day only requirement.(3) Pyrotechnics meeting the standards noted in the following table. TABLE |
| Approved Number Under 46 CFR | Pyrotechnic Signal Devices | Accepted for Use | Number Required to Be Carried |
| 160.021.......................... | Hand-Held Red Flare Distress Signal3 | Day and night | 3 |
| 160.022.......................... | Floating Orange Smoke Distress Signals | Days only | 3 |
| 160.024.......................... | Pistol-Projected Parachute Red Flare Distress Signals. | Day and night1 | 3 |
| 160.036.......................... | Hand-Held Rocket-Propelled Parachute Red Flare Distress Signals | Day and night | 3 |
| 160.037.......................... | Hand-Held Orange Smoke Distress Signals. | Day only | 3 |
| 160.057.......................... | Floating Orange Smoke Distress Signals | Day only | 3 |
| 160.066.......................... | Distress Signal for Boats, Red Aerial Pyrotechnic Flare | Day and night2 | 3 |
1 These signals require use in combination with a suitable launching device approved under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 160.028.
2 These devices may be either self-contained or pistol launched, and either meteor or parachute assisted type. Some of these signals may require use in combination with a suitable launching device approved under Title 46, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 160.028.
3 Must have manufacturers date of October 1, 1980 or later.
(j) Any combination of signal devices selected from the types noted in paragraphs (i)(1), (2), and (3) of this section, when carried in the number required, may be used to meet both day and night requirements. Examples--the combination of the two hand-held red flares (160.021) and one parachute red flare (160.024 or 160.036) meets both day and night requirements. Three hand-held orange smoke (160.037) with one electric distress light (161.013) meet both day and night requirements.(k) Existing equipment. (1) Launchers manufactured before 1 January, 1981, which do not have approval numbers, are acceptable for use with meteor or parachute signals listed in table in Section (i)(3) as long as they remain in serviceable condition.Cal. Code Regs. Tit. 14, § 6692
1. New section filed 1-28-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 5).
2. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) filed 8-28-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 35).
3. Amendment filed 11-25-87; operative 12-25-87 (Register 87, No. 49).
4. New subsections (b)(3)-(b)(3)(D) filed 10-17-91; operative 11-18-91 (Register 92, No. 30).
5. Amendment of subsections (a), (b)(2), and (c)(1), repealer of subsection (l) and amendment of NOTE filed 7-24-96; operative 8-23-96 (Register 96, No. 30). Note: Authority cited: Section 652, Harbors and Navigation Code. Reference: Section 650, Harbors and Navigation Code.
1. New section filed 1-28-83; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 83, No. 5).
2. Amendment of subsection (a)(2) filed 8-28-86; effective thirtieth day thereafter (Register 86, No. 35).
3. Amendment filed 11-25-87; operative 12-25-87 (Register 87, No. 49).
4. New subsections (b)(3)-(b)(3)(D) filed 10-17-91; operative 11-18-91 (Register 92, No. 30).
5. Amendment of subsections (a), (b)(2), and (c)(1), repealer of subsection (l) and amendment of Note filed 7-24-96; operative 8-23-96 (Register 96, No. 30).