Is the searchlight regulation in maritime distress signals considered true or false?

In the context of maritime distress signals, searchlight regulation is not classified as a standard distress signal under the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea (COLREGs). The primary distress signals recognized internationally include visual signals such as flares, flags, and sound signals. The use of a searchlight, while potentially useful for attracting attention in a distressed situation, does not meet the established criteria for formal distress signaling as defined by maritime regulations.

Therefore, the assertion that the searchlight regulation is considered within the realm of distress signals is false. This aligns with the understanding that only those signals specifically mentioned in the COLREGs or the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) protocols are formal distress signals. Searchlights may aid in communication or visual identification during a distress scenario, but they are not formally recognized as a method for signaling distress on their own.