Section 281.3121. Visual distress signals.

(1) The owner of a vessel which operates on the Great Lakes and Lake St. Clair shall have aboard the vessel at least 1 option, from the following list, of coast  guard-approved  visual distress signals:

Number Options  Required          Type Accepted

(a)     3      Hand-held red flare with manufacture         Day and night, date of October 1, 1980, or later.

(b)	3	Hand-held, rocket-propelled parachute	Day and night, red flare.
(c)	1	Orange flag distress signal for boats	Day only
	1	and electric distress light for boats.	Night only
(d)	3	Floating or hand-held orange smoke and	Day only
	1	electric distress light for boats	Night only
(e)	3	Floating or hand-held orange smoke and	Day only
		option (a) or option (b).	Day and night
(f)	1	Orange distress flag for boats and	Day only
		Option (a) or option (b)	Day and night

(2)   Non-approved hand-held pyrotechnic aerial red flares and pyrotechnic hand- held or  floating  orange  smoke  is  acceptable  for  meeting  the requirements of this rule until July 1, 1982, if the devices remain in good and serviceable condition.

(3)    A person shall not display a visual distress signal on the waters of the state, except in an emergency.

(4)    A person shall not possess any pistol-type visual distress signal launching device commonly known as a flare gun.

(5)   Any coast guard-approved electric distress light for boats that activates automatically upon contact with the  water   and flashes  S.O.S.is   acceptable  for meeting the nighttime requirements of this rule and the requirements of R 281.3202(4), R 281.3302(3), R 281.3404(3), and R 281.3503(4).

(6)   The owner of a vessel shall have aboard the vessel at least l portable battery- operated light (flashlight), powered by D-cells or larger-size batteries,  which   is  in good  and serviceable condition.

History: 1982 AACS.