SOS Lights

Since the Weems & Plath light is advertised in the classifieds at a great price, I thought I might ask for clarification on this. I purchased one for the boat I travel on quite a bit and was under the impression they were legal everywhere. But then...
A friend was stopped and inspected a few days ago here in SW Fla. He was told that his electric flare was not accepted or approved for offshore use??
Did the coastie know what he was talking about or misinformed?

This from the Weems and Plath web site.

NEVER BUY FLARES AGAIN! The SOS Distress Light is the ONLY LED Visual Distress Signal Device that meets U.S. Coast Guard requirements to completely replace traditional pyrotechnic flares. Unlike traditional flares, this electronic flare never expires, which solves the challenge of flare disposal. The LED light flashes up to 60 hours, unlike traditional flares that last minutes or less. It flashes only the SOS sequence, per USCG requirements, and is visible up to 10 nautical miles. When combined with a daytime distress signal flag (included in package), it meets ALL USCG Federal Requirements for DAY and NIGHT use, in lieu of traditional flares. This electronic flare floats and can be hand-held, tethered, or hoisted aloft. It operates with 3 standard C batteries. Complies with all U.S. Coast Guard requirements for “Night Visual Distress Signals” as found in the Code of Federal Regulations: 46 CFR 161.013.

coastie may have been unaware....he should have been shown the certification label and any supporting documentation.

good news is that info can be forwarded with appeal if it was a violation and not a warning.

The local CG Aux. vessel inspector was unaware of this as well.

hmason said:

The local CG Aux. vessel inspector was unaware of this as well.

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We ran into something similar with the CG Aux a few years ago regarding our electronic copy(s) of the USCG Rules of the Road. The inspector said we had to have a hard copy. I asked him to please check with the higher ups and I got a nice reply back saying an electronic copy would suffice.

The W & P SOS light is a great addition to your safety gear. Unfortunately, at least in Canada, it doesn't eliminate the need for conventional flares. See your "Safe Boating Guide" for the specific requirements for your boat. Those have not changed to include the SOS light.

Don’t get it

Larry M said:

We ran into something similar with the CG Aux a few years ago regarding our electronic copy(s) of the USCG Rules of the Road. The inspector said we had to have a hard copy. I asked him to please check with the higher ups and I got a nice reply back saying an electronic copy would suffice.

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You are required to have a USCG rules of the road on board?

over 12 meters or say 40 feet.

OK....

psneeld said:

over 12 meters or say 40 feet.

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I have never heard of this requirement. I have had for more than 20 years a boat exceeding 12 meters...

psneeld said:

over 12 meters or say 40 feet.

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As on an OA 456.

I am reading USCG

Gordon J said:

I have never heard of this requirement. I have had for more than 20 years a boat exceeding 12 meters...

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Requirements for recreational boats and read that electric devices are only good at night and don’t meet daytime requirements

Contradictory

The text says electric are good only at night, but a table in the USCG publication says you set ok with electronic signal device or pyrotechnics....hmmmm

From the

Boaters guide to federal requirements:

Electric Distress Light
• Acceptable for night use only
• Automatically flashes the
international SOS distress signal
( • • • – – – • • • )
• Must be marked with an indica-
Electric Distress Signals (night only)
tion that it meets U S Coast Guard requirements in 46 CFR 161 013

Exactly...

BandB said:

As on an OA 456.

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I just downloaded a version so I now am in compliance.

Escaped another fine...

Whew?

The Weems and Plath SOS signal light comes with a day signal flag to meet the daytime requirements.

From the Weems and Plath website:


When combined with a daytime distress signal flag (included in package), it meets ALL USCG Federal Requirements for DAY and NIGHT use, in lieu of traditional flares.

Gordon J said:

I have never heard of this requirement. I have had for more than 20 years a boat exceeding 12 meters...

Click to expand...

Having taught captains licensing, it was eye opening to see how many experienced boaters never heard of many regulations, how bad they were misinformed by other experienced boaters like some TF threads, and believed so many boating myths.

To this day many of my real experienced cruising friends blow though militart restricted areas because they never knew despite prominently displayed on charts.

Used to smile when the students would almost cry when we were into an hour of navigational aids lighting they were responsible to know for the test.

psneeld said:

Having taught captains licensing, it was eye opening to see how many experienced boaters never heard of many regulations, how bad they were misinformed by other experienced boaters like some TF threads, and believed so many boating myths.

To this day many of my real experienced cruising friends blow though militart restricted areas because they never knew despite prominently displayed on charts.

Used to smile when the students would almost cry when we were into an hour of navigational aids lighting they were responsible to know for the test.

Click to expand...

I knew all the lights for ATONS, ships, tugs, barges etc. for the test. Now, not so much. I did not cry but almost. And BTW I forgot "all the crap I learned in high school."

Our solution is to figure that if a signaling device it is really needed, it is really! needed.

HELP I need somebody , is no place to cheap out, even inshore.

WE cary a verry pistol and large 39MM? parachute flairs.

These are way to costly to replace in the USCG sked , so we also
carry a 12ga flair set that is cheap enough to toss every so often.

Larry M said:

The Weems and Plath SOS signal light comes with a day signal flag to meet the daytime requirements.

From the Weems and Plath website:


When combined with a daytime distress signal flag (included in package), it meets ALL USCG Federal Requirements for DAY and NIGHT use, in lieu of traditional flares.

Click to expand...

The SOS Distress Light complies with all U.S. Coast Guard requirements for “Night Visual Distress Signals” as found in the Code of Federal Regulations: 46 CFR 161.013, and with the included day distress signal flag (meeting the standards of 46 CFR 160.072) complies with 33 CFR 175.130, Visual Distress Signals accepted.

hmason said:

I knew all the lights for ATONS, ships, tugs, barges etc. for the test. Now, not so much. I did not cry but almost. And BTW I forgot "all the crap I learned in high school."

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Might be in Stewart area this Sunday plus or minus, so i am retesting....

Will give you a call when things firm up asIi have a long lost USCG buddy living there now.

Nimble1 said:

Since the Weems & Plath light is advertised in the classifieds at a great price, I thought I might ask for clarification on this. I purchased one for the boat I travel on quite a bit and was under the impression they were legal everywhere. But then...
A friend was stopped and inspected a few days ago here in SW Fla. He was told that his electric flare was not accepted or approved for offshore use??
Did the coastie know what he was talking about or misinformed?

Click to expand...

Was it specifically the Weems & Plath SOS Light? There are a number of LED distress signaling devices out there, but the Weems & Plath light is the only electronic "flare" that meets USCG requirements as a replacement for pyrotechnic flares in federal waters.

And although the SOS Light does not yet meet Canadian requirements for Canadian boats, properly registered US boats (either state registered or USCG documented) traveling in Canadian waters are compliant just as in US waters.

hmason said:

The local CG Aux. vessel inspector was unaware of this as well.

Click to expand...

Larry M said:

We ran into something similar with the CG Aux a few years ago regarding our electronic copy(s) of the USCG Rules of the Road. The inspector said we had to have a hard copy. I asked him to please check with the higher ups and I got a nice reply back saying an electronic copy would suffice.

Click to expand...

For the record, both of these issues were well-communicated by the CG Aux and all vessel examiners should be well aware of them. If an individual examiner chooses not to be informed, I'd question their commitment to the program. It's a volunteer organization.

To me, the real value in the exam is not the sticker, but the chance to have a second set of eyes on board and a knowledgeable person to bounce ideas off.

If that's not what you got, got to safetyseal.net, type in your zip code and pick another examiner from the list. A lot of people don't know you can call them up and they'll come to you, on your schedule. And if you fail the exam, they'll come back when you're ready. They get credit for both exams, so they really don't mind.

psneeld said:

Might be in Stewart area this Sunday plus or minus, so i am retesting....

Will give you a call when things firm up asIi have a long lost USCG buddy living there now.

Click to expand...

Standing by Capt