Distress signals 

The following signals, used together or separately, indicate distress and need of assistance: 

1. a signal sent by radio consisting of the spoken word “‘Mayday”;
2. slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side;
3. a rocket parachute flare or a hand flare showing a red light;
4. a smoke signal of orange-coloured smoke;
5. a signal made by radio or by any other signalling method consisting of the group  . . . – – – . . . (SOS) in the Morse Code;
6. a gun or explosive signal fired at intervals of a minute;
7. a continuous sound with any fog-signalling apparatus;
8. flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.);
9. rockets or shells, throwing red stars at short intervals;
10. the International Code Signal of distress indicated by N and C flags;
11. a signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a ball.
12. a signal from an EPIRB or SART