46 CFR 141.375: Visual distress signals on towing vessels
Last reviewed: October 14, 2026
This section requires towing vessels to carry visual distress signals. It names the signal types acceptable for day and night use, or day use only. It also sets an exemption for short runs and stowage rules for pyrotechnic signals.
Applies toTowing vessels, which must carry visual distress signals for the areas where they operate.
What it says
A towing vessel must carry a combination of day and night visual distress signals as indicated in Table 141.370 of § 141.370 for the areas where it operates.
46 CFR 141.375(a)“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.”
Hand-held red flares 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.
46 CFR 141.375(b)“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.”
Floating orange smoke signals approved under approval series 160.022, 160.122, or 160.157, and hand-held orange smoke signals approved under approval series 160.037, are acceptable only as day signals.
46 CFR 141.375(c)“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.”
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.
46 CFR 141.375(d)“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.”
Each pyrotechnic distress signal carried to meet this section must be stowed either in a portable watertight container at the operating station or in a pyrotechnic locker.
46 CFR 141.375(e)“Each pyrotechnic distress signal carried to meet this section must be stowed in either:”
A portable watertight container for pyrotechnic distress signals must be a bright color and must be marked "DISTRESS SIGNALS" in legible contrasting letters at least 12.7 millimeters (0.5 inches) high.
46 CFR 141.375(e)(1)“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”
A pyrotechnic locker must be secured above the freeboard deck, away from heat, in the vicinity of the operating station.
46 CFR 141.375(e)(2)“A pyrotechnic locker secured above the freeboard deck, away from heat, in the vicinity of the operating station.”
Common questions
Which visual distress signals count as both day and night signals on a towing vessel?
Hand-held red flares and hand-held rocket-propelled parachute red flares, with the approvals named in the text, are acceptable as both day and night signals.
“are acceptable as both day and night signals.”
Are orange smoke signals acceptable at night on a towing vessel?
No. Floating orange smoke signals and hand-held orange smoke distress signals are only acceptable as day signals.
“are only acceptable as day signals.”
Does a towing vessel on a short run need visual distress signals?
A vessel in a limited geographic area on a short run limited to approximately 30 minutes from the dock is not required to carry them under this section.
“is not required to carry visual distress signals under this section.”
How must pyrotechnic distress signals be stowed on a towing vessel?
They must be stowed in a portable watertight container at the operating station, or in a pyrotechnic locker secured above the freeboard deck, away from heat, near the operating station.
“Each pyrotechnic distress signal carried to meet this section must be stowed in either:”
The text of 46 CFR 141.375
Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (eCFR), current as of April 16, 2026 · Read it on eCFR
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.
Sections it refers to
The plain-English explanation on this page was written with AI from the regulation text above and checked automatically before publishing: every quote appears in the text, every number comes from it, and a second model confirmed each statement adds nothing the text doesn't say. Regulation text current as of April 16, 2026. The regulation text governs. RegKnot is not affiliated with the U.S. Coast Guard.