33 CFR § 83.37 - Distress signals (Rule 37).

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s83.37"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 83.37 - Distress signals (Rule 37)."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "83.37"
section_name: "Distress signals (Rule 37)."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "E"
subchapter_name: "INLAND NAVIGATION RULES"
part_number: "83"
part_name: "NAVIGATION RULES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 2071; DHS Delegation No. 00170.1, Revision No. 01.3."
regulatory_source: "USCG-2012-0102, 79 FR 37912, July 2, 2014, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "83"
---


# 83.37 Distress signals (Rule 37).

When a vessel is in distress and requires assistance she shall use or exhibit the signals described in Annex IV to these Rules (33 CFR part 87).