Hello to all ship modelers, and especially those interested in the "human" question of the day.

In response to the question: what emergency signal does a grounded ship emit in fog?
For me, the correct answer is:
"three strikes of the bow bell plus five seconds of rapid bell tollings at the bow plus three strikes of the bow bell plus five seconds of gong tollings at the stern (every minute)."
Does this sound correct to you too?

P.S. Thanks to Pat for opening this topic of emergency signals, which is certainly of general interest and has generated various offshoots and digressions, which I think are always instructive.
There might also be a purely modeling aspect to this, but it's premature to discuss it now.

Excellent Edw.

Thanks for citing the source, I appreciate your great intellectual honesty.

My source is an Italian ministerial decree, so I'm not sure if it applies only to Italy or if the decree has implemented an international standard.
I lean more toward the latter.

Your answer is almost entirely in line with my knowledge.

I know that:

Red hand flares last about 60 seconds and have a nighttime range of about 6 nautical miles.

They are lit when a ship, aircraft, or the coast is visible.
This is the correct answer according to my sources.


Red parachute flares have a daytime range of about 7 miles and a nighttime range of about 25 miles. They rise to a height of about 300 meters and last about 1 minute.

They are lit when the presence of a ship, aircraft, or the coast is presumed.
This is the correct answer according to my sources.

P.S. Congratulations on getting Pat's question right. He's always making them more difficult, but this one had a more international scope.

Here is AIs answer to the two types of flare
🤔

Handheld Flare (Red Flare)

When to use:
When rescuers or other vessels are nearby and can see you visually.
At night or in low visibility to signal your position.
Once you think someone may have already spotted your parachute flare or distress call.

Characteristics:
Bright red flame.
Burns for about 1–2 minutes.
Visible for a few miles.
Best used from a lifeboat or deck.


Parachute Flare (Rocket Parachute Flare)

When to use:
To initially attract attention over a long distance (10–40+ miles on a clear night).
In open sea or remote areas where no help is nearby.
In both day and night, though more effective at night.
When aircraft or ships are spotted on the horizon or flying overhead.

Characteristics:
Fired into the air (300+ meters / ~1,000 feet).
Parachute slows descent for 30–40 seconds of hang time.
Very bright, often over 30,000 candela.
Visible from a great distance.

General Guidelines:
First, use a parachute flare to get noticed.
Then, use handheld flares to help rescuers locate you precisely.

Always use in accordance with distress signal protocols (e.g., when life is in danger).
Only fire when you see or hear potential rescuers—flares are limited in number and should not be wasted.
If you're preparing for sea, it's smart to have both types onboard, and know how to use them safely (protective gloves, wind direction, etc.).

Hello all ship modelers.

On the subject of emergency signals, I'm waiting to give an answer.
Surely someone will remember.
However, you are allowed to do an internet search (a legitimate learning exercise or safety check).

Still on the subject of emergency signals (a very interesting topic that Pat included in his question), since after Edw's correct and concise answers, the discussion expanded to radio frequencies 👍 and other topics, I'd like to elaborate on one of the points with another question.
Both Edw and Pat mentioned it.
I'm referring to the signals with "Red Parachute or Hand-Held Flares."
Who remembers when to use one and when to use the other?
If you don't remember (or if you want confirmation), you can consult the web, but I recommend going to reliable, official sites.

I'm curious to see if these rules are universal or if they vary from country to country.

Pat, sorry if I'm late to your questions, but I can't keep up.. Above all, Doug is extremely fast and prepared.

Hi Doug, no. I understood Pat's initial question well, but then, reading only in English (because I was in a hurry), I thought the discussion had broadened, as often happens in topics on this forum (and I don't mind).
However, I was referring to post #13 from Pat, in the line where he mentions the foghorn. He wrote well; mine was just a clarification (couldn't that be helpful?)


In any case, the question I asked at the end is still valid, and anyone who wants to can answer.

Alessandro, 👎
A comprehensive, and no doubt accurate description of foghorn signals. But-
Unfortunately it has absolutely nothing to do with Pat's question which asked for at least 5 Internationally Recognised Distress Signals!!
I can only assume a translation problem, oder Gedenkfehler.
Ciao, Doug😎

Sorry, Pat, maybe you already mentioned it, but I didn't notice because I read it quickly and didn't read it all.

There isn't just one combination for fog signals, but more than one.

Just a few examples:

One prolonged blast (4 to 6 seconds): Powered vessel making way.

Two prolonged blasts:
Powered vessel stationary

One prolonged blast and two short blasts (1 second):
Sailing vessel
Fishing vessel
Vessel with restricted maneuverability
Tugboat

One prolonged blast and three short blasts:
Last vessel being towed Towing vessel

Four short blasts:
Pilot vessel

All of the above must be sounded at intervals of no more than two minutes


Vessels at anchor or at anchor signal their presence with rapid blasts of the bell for five seconds every minute (for vessels under 100 feet). If they are vessels 100 feet or longer, they emit (every minute) five seconds of rapid bell tolls at the stern and five seconds of gong strikes at the stern.

And what about the stranded ship?

Doug your Comms knowledge is obviously far superior to mine but in civilian circles I am sure that only CH16 and 2182 are taught - I do apologise if I am wrong It's a while since I learnt them - getting old now you know

Well - You DID ask Pat😉
In practice usually only VHF Channels 70 and 16, and 3 of the MF/HF frequencies, generally in the 2 and / or 8 MHz bands, are continuously monitored.
Cheers, Doug😎
PS Ch 16 is not primarily for Distress calls. It is the general contact channel for routine calls and chit-chat. As such it may be used for a 'first contact' in a distress situation.
Participants then agree to switch to a different channel (hand -off) to free up the contact channel.
DSC Distress calls can include a specified hand-off channel for further voice comms.

I will be away tomorrow so I am going to post tomorrows question tonight

Have fun guys - there must be lots more people out there come and join in

That is a very full list Doug - I normally shorten it to Ch 16 and 2182

Hi Pat,
Frequencies for Distress and Safety calls-
In the radiotelephone mode (for voice communication):
VHF-CH16 (156.8 MHz),
MF/HF 2 182 kHz, 4 125 kHz, 6 215 kHz, 8 291 kHz, 12 290 kHz, 16 420 kHz.

In the DSC (digital selective calling) mode:
VHF-CH70 (156.525 MHz),
MF/HF 2 187.5 kHz, 4 207.5 kHz, 6 312 kHz, 8 414.5 kHz, 12 577 kHz, 16804.5 kHz. If not too far from shore (i.e. within Sea Area 1) VHF is preferred due to the faster character transmission rate of 1200 Baud as against 100 Baud for MF/HF.

In the radiotelex mode (NBDP - Narrow Band Direct Printing),
MF/HF 2174.5 kHz, 4 177.5 kHz, 6 268 kHz, 8 376.5 kHz, 12 520 kHz, 16 695 kHz.

GMDSS Radio installations for Sea Areas 1 to 4 were part of my bread and butter for decades😉
😎

Well Shippers here is the official list with a few less well know ones at the end

A gun or other explosive signal fried every minute
Continuous sounding of fog signalling apparatus
Rockets or shells throwing red stars
SOS transmitted by morse or light
Signal containing the spoken word Mayday on Channel 16 VHF or 2182 khz
Signal flags N over C
A square flag with a ball either above or below it
Flames on the vessel
A red rocket or hand flare
Orange smoke coloured flare
Slowly raising and lowering the arms
A digital distress alert via DSC
Ship to shore distress alert using the ships Inmarsat
EPIRB – emergency position indicating radio beacon
Approved signals from RADAR transponders. SART’s

Orange canvas with a black ball and square
A dye marker
Ensign or National Flag flown upside down

What frequencies for radio calls ?

1 Mayday Call on Radio

2 Red Parachute or Hand-Held Flares

3 SOS Signal by Morse Code

4 Raising and Lowering Arms Repeatedly

5 Orange Signal Flag with a Black Square Over a Black Circle
😁

I'm a bit late to the party today, apart from Save Our Sausages and Union Flag flown upside down I'm stumped,so a couple of guesses. Yellow (quarantine) flaf, red flare, orange smoke, raising and lowering arms. And after consulting an old RYA book I will add a square flag with a ball either above or below and N or C flags, MAYDAY. And gunshots..

Keep em coming Dough - start your own QoD lets goin into competition with AI lol

Thanks Pat, enjoy your evening also, whatever you may be indulging in😉
Ya know it's funny (odd funny🙄) that I have such an enduring interest in ships, especially naval vessels and RN in particular. Coz my father was a long serving officer, radar and avionics specialist, in the Royal Air Force. I always remember him telling me
"If you want to make money out of electronics don't try it in the forces, go into industry."
I heeded his advice. It didn't make me a millionaire but it did take me all over the world, except Australia and NZ☹️
In end effect I ended up doing for naval ships what he did for RAF aircraft, and the Thor missiles stationed in UK service. (RAF Hemswell and satellites).

Ref your question -
Do you want me to up the ante?
Here's a taster for #3 DSC😉

Cheers, Doug😎

Doug your never a nuisance - it a pleasure to meet someone so knowledgeable with similar interests

I do like the old traditions and values which of coarse is what the Royal Navy is based on - unfortunately the younger generations do not seem to have the same values

Enjoy the rest of your evening - will be interesting to see if we have any other answer from our vast audience

Sorry if I'm being a nuisance Pat, but ...
I did know that.
Also, the Union Flag is only flown at the Jack Staff when anchored or in harbour.
Otherwise it is flown at the mast to signify that the Fleet Admiral is aboard.
(PS/Edit: Admiral's Command Flags, or Commodore's Pennants should only be flown when the Officer concerned is actually on board.)
The Union Jack should be flown so that on the side nearest the flagpole the broadest part of the white cross of St Andrew is above the narrow red cross of St David. Flying the flag the wrong way up is usually regarded as a sign of distress!
When flown upside down, in error or as a distress signal, the broad white stripe on the fly (furthest from the flagpole) is on top instead of below as when flown correctly.

Cheers, Doug😎

I remember walking down a street in Manchester I saw that one of the houses was flying a Union Flag (note Union Flag not Union Jack) upside down so I knocked on his door and asked who was in distress - he though I was absolutely mad and told me to P Off.

Seriously I wonder how many people actually know that the correct name is a Union Flag and not a Union Jack except when it is flow at the jack staff of a HM Ship.

And I expect even less know the is a correct way to fly it, in that it can be flown upside down.

Yeah. I liked that one too Pat. Loosely described under 'Flames on board your vessel'!!
OK. I'll start the ball rolling (or sinking🤔) with EPIRB and SART.
Anyone gonna call or raise?😁

😎

If you all take a stab at some their should be some interesting answers- my favourite one was burning a tar barrel on deck !!!

Hi Pat.
Do you really want me, nearly 40 years a Naval COMMS specialist, to answer this?
Taken to extremes there are 10 altogether I believe.
I was only directly concerned with those involving electronics and radio of various forms, as per the GMDSS regulations, which vary according to the Sea Area you are sailing in and the size / type of vessel and if passengers are carried.
Even jumping up and down waving your arms is apparently considered one of the 10😂🤣

Cheers, Doug😎