---identifier: "/us/cfr/t46/s169.553"source: "ecfr"legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"title: "46 CFR § 169.553 - Pyrotechnic distress signals."title_number: 46title_name: "Shipping"section_number: "169.553"section_name: "Pyrotechnic distress signals."chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"subchapter_number: "R"subchapter_name: "NAUTICAL SCHOOLS"part_number: "169"part_name: "SAILING SCHOOL VESSELS"positive_law: falsecurrency: "2026-04-05"last_updated: "2026-04-05"format_version: "1.1.0"generator: "[email protected]"authority: "33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507."regulatory_source: "CGD 83-005, 51 FR 896, Jan. 9, 1986, unless otherwise noted."cfr_part: "169"---
Identifier
/us/cfr/t46/s169.553
Currency
2026-04-05
Positive Law
No
Updated
2026-04-05
Chapter
Coast Guard, Department of Homeland Security
Authority
33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued unde... 33 U.S.C. 1321(j); 46 U.S.C. 3306, 6101; Pub. L. 103-206, 107 Stat. 2439; E.O. 11735, 38 FR 21243, 3 CFR, 1971-1975 Comp., p. 793; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.4; § 169.117 also issued under the authority of 44 U.S.C. 3507.
# 169.553 Pyrotechnic distress signals.(a) All pyrotechnic distress signals must be of an approved type.(b) Replacement must be made no later than the first inspection for certification or reinspection after the date of expiration.(c) Except as otherwise provided in this section, each vessel must carry the following pyrotechnic distress signals:(1) 6 hand red flare distress signals, and 6 hand orange smoke distress signals; or,(2) 12 hand held rocket propelled parachute red flare distress signals.(d) [Reserved](e) All pyrotechnic distress signals must be carried near the helm or in a location considered suitable by the Officer in Charge, Marine Inspection.(f) All pyrotechnic distress signals must be stowed in a portable watertight container.