46 CFR § 141.375 - Visual distress signals.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s141.375"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "46 CFR § 141.375 - Visual distress signals."
title_number: 46
title_name: "Shipping"
section_number: "141.375"
section_name: "Visual distress signals."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "M"
subchapter_name: "TOWING VESSELS"
part_number: "141"
part_name: "LIFESAVING"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "46 U.S.C. 3103, 3301, 3306, 3308, 3316, 8104, 8904; 33 CFR 1.05; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4."
regulatory_source: "USCG-2006-24412, 81 FR 40101, June 20, 2016, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "141"
---


# 141.375 Visual distress signals.

(a) *Carriage requirement.* A towing vessel must carry a combination of day and night visual distress signals indicated in Table 141.370 of § 141.370 for specified areas where the vessel operates.

(b) *Day and night visual distress signals.* Hand-held red flare distress signals, approved under approval series 160.021 or 160.121, and hand-held rocket-propelled parachute red flares, approved under approval series 160.036 or 160.136, are acceptable as both day and night signals.

(c) *Signals for day visual distress only.* Floating orange smoke signals, approved under approval series 160.022, 160.122, or 160.157, and hand-held orange smoke distress signals, approved under approval series 160.037, are only acceptable as day signals.

(d) *Limited geographic area.* A vessel operating in a limited geographic area on a short run limited to approximately 30 minutes away from the dock is not required to carry visual distress signals under this section.

(e) *Stowage.* Each pyrotechnic distress signal carried to meet this section must be stowed in either:

(1) A portable watertight container carried at the operating station. Portable watertight containers for pyrotechnic distress signals must be of a bright color and must be clearly marked in legible contrasting letters at least 12.7 millimeters (0.5 inches) high with “DISTRESS SIGNALS”; or

(2) A pyrotechnic locker secured above the freeboard deck, away from heat, in the vicinity of the operating station.