How can a vessel use its lights to signal distress?

A vessel can signal distress using lights by employing a specific distress pattern, which is widely recognized in maritime protocols. This method aligns with the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs) as well as other maritime safety standards. A well-known distress pattern includes the use of flashes where the lights are turned on and off in a specific sequence that indicates an emergency situation.

This approach effectively communicates the message of distress to nearby vessels, which may not be able to hear other forms of communication, such as radio calls. The use of a defined flashing pattern ensures that the distress signal is unambiguous and can be easily recognized by mariners who are trained to respond to such signals.

In contrast, continuously flashing white lights, turning on all navigation lights, or alternating between red and green lights do not constitute standard distress signals recognized by the maritime community, making them less effective or potentially confusing in indicating a vessel's emergency situation.