The detection range of pyrotechnic distress signals largely (sometimes to a decisive extent!) depends on the location of their origin. Even the most powerful rocket can be launched in such a place and at such a time that no one will ever see it. First of all, you need to take into account the time of day and weather conditions.
A bright star in the sky during the day is almost invisible, while at night it attracts attention from many kilometers away. Therefore, during daylight hours it is better to use smoke signals, saving the rocket for the dark. In the same way, a rocket launched into a cloud that accidentally floats above your head can disappear without any benefit. Therefore, if possible, delay the signal for a few seconds, wait for the clouds to pass, or try to get into a part of the sky free of clouds or fog.
To work with flares and smoke bombs, you should choose elevated points of the relief. In this case, you must try to ensure that on the leeward side, where the smoke will be carried, there is an open space - a reservoir, a glacier, a clearing.

When giving a signal, any pyrotechnic device should be held at arm's length, with the nozzle facing away from you. There should be no people standing on the leeward side, nor should there be flammable or fire-resistant objects. It is strictly unacceptable to direct missiles and ammunition towards rescue planes, helicopters, ships!

When using rockets, you should take into account the direction and strength of the wind, which can strongly blow away the parachute with the signal star burning underneath it. If you want the signal to burn above your head, shoot slightly into the wind.
Another purely “missile” mistake is to underestimate the force of its recoil. This is especially true for large parachute rockets! If you do not hold the rocket casing tightly enough, it may jerk downward and slip out of your hands when fired.
And one more very important piece of advice. Most pyrotechnics have a one-time effect, that is, having given a signal once, it cannot be repeated. Therefore, it is necessary to send a signal from as close a distance as possible and only when there is confidence that it will be noticed. For example, when you see a rescue plane or ship or clearly hear the increasing noise of running engines.

While driving, signaling devices must be stored in a place protected from impacts and precipitation and at the same time easily accessible. And during rest stops, keep away from fire. Many pyrotechnics are afraid of heat, intense friction and impacts, from which they can fail or even explode!

In addition to their direct purpose, almost all pyrotechnic signaling devices can be successfully used to scare away predatory animals - polar and brown bears, wolves, jackals, etc.
Although it’s a stretch, aerosol cans can be considered the simplest pyrotechnic signaling means. Anything - from hairspray and other cosmetics to repellents. A jet of aerosol released from a can, if passed through the flame of a match or lighter, flares up with a bright torch several tens of centimeters long, visible from the air for several kilometers. The aerosol should be released in short, no more than 1 - 2 s, presses with 2 - 5 second pauses. If the aerosol jet burns for a longer period of time, the can may explode in your hands!

Maritime international distress signals:

 releasing puffs of orange smoke (1);

 flame on the ship (for example, from a burning tar barrel) (2);

 rockets or grenades that emit red stars, released one at a time at short intervals (3);

 red parachute flare or red flare (4);

 flag signal NC (NC) according to the International Code of Signals (5);

 a signal consisting of a square flag with a ball above or below it (6);

 slow, repeated raising and lowering of arms extended to the sides (7);

 cannon shots or explosions made at intervals of about one minute, or a continuous sound produced by any fog signal apparatus (8);

 an SOS distress signal transmitted by radiotelegraph or other signaling system, or the word "mayday" spoken by radiotelephone (9).
All these signals have one single meaning, known to sailors all over the world - "I'm in trouble and need help".

4. Smoke and color distress signals.

These include various smoke bombs and firecrackers, most often used at sea. Such bombs are triggered after the ignition cord is pulled out and burn, emitting orange smoke, from 1 minute (hand bomb) to 4 minutes (floating bomb).
The floating smoke bomb used in domestic fleets has a length of 253 mm, a diameter of 80 mm and a weight of 820 g. The estimated visibility range of a smoke signal lasting 3 minutes is one nautical mile. The checker is activated by pulling the ignition cord.
In addition to color-smoke signals, there are special dyes that, when dissolved in water, create a large, colorful spot that is noticeable from afar.
These include, for example, uranine, intended for use in the sea or in vast freshwater bodies. Upon contact with water, uranine spreads over the surface, forming a huge spot of intense green-emerald color (if it gets into cold water) or orange color (if it gets into warm water).
The dye remains visible for about 4 - 6 hours in calm water and only 2 - 3 hours in rough water.

The nature of distress signals largely, sometimes to a decisive extent, depends on the place where they are issued. Even the most powerful signal flare can be launched in such a place and at such a time that no one will ever see the distress signals. First of all, you need to take into account the time of day and weather conditions.

A bright star in the sky during the day is almost invisible, while at night it attracts attention from many kilometers away. Therefore, during daylight hours it is better to use smoke distress signals, saving the rocket for darkness. In the same way, a rocket launched into a cloud that accidentally floats above your head can disappear without any benefit. Therefore, if possible, delay issuing a distress signal for a few seconds, wait for the clouds to pass, or try to get into an area of ​​​​the sky free of clouds or fog.

To work with flares and smoke bombs, you should choose elevated points of the relief. In this case, you must try to ensure that on the leeward side, where the smoke will be carried, there is an open space - a reservoir, a glacier, a clearing. When sending a distress signal, any pyrotechnic means should be held at arm's length, with the nozzle facing away from you. There should be no people standing on the leeward side, nor should there be flammable or fire-resistant objects. It is strictly unacceptable to direct flares and cartridges towards rescue aircraft, helicopters, and ships.

When using flares, you should take into account the direction and strength of the wind, which can strongly blow away the parachute with the signal star burning underneath it. If you want the signal to burn above your head, shoot slightly into the wind. Another purely missile mistake is underestimating the force of its recoil. This is especially true for large parachute rockets. If you do not hold the rocket casing tightly enough, it may jerk downward and slip out of your hands when fired. I was once able to verify this by giving a light (not an emergency) signal in the winter taiga. The mittens, frozen to the point of ice, did not allow us to squeeze our fingers with sufficient force, and for this reason the rocket fired in two directions at once: as an asterisk into the sky, and with a cartridge case into the ground.

It was only by miracle that the light charge that did not follow its trajectory did not burn my hair. But it could have been worse, much worse. For example, during a rock concert on Palace Square in St. Petersburg, a rocket unexpectedly fired into the crowd hit the temple and outright killed a spectator standing nearby. That is why the rocket should only be taken bare hand, after wiping your palm and fingers dry. And one more very important piece of advice. Most pyrotechnics have a one-time effect, that is, having given a signal once, it cannot be repeated. Therefore, it is necessary to send a signal from as close a distance as possible and only when there is confidence that it will be noticed. For example, when you see a rescue plane or ship or clearly hear the increasing noise of running engines.

On the other hand, if you have a supply of disposable pyrotechnics, when a still invisible rescue plane or helicopter approaches, it is better not to skimp on rockets. Here stinginess can do a disservice. The aircraft leading the search is not a city tram, which travels the same route several times a day. A search plane does not always return to a place it has already flown over. Therefore, it is better to give distress signals (I repeat once again: if you do not feel the need for pyrotechnics!) before it can be detected visually.

Point in the direction of the sound, if possible calculating the direction of flight from its increase or decrease. A rocket, having broken through low clouds, can be seen by pilots, while you will never see the plane. If there is no longer a need to send a signal, the ignition cord with the ring must be carefully placed in the socket intended for the rocket and the protective cap must be screwed on. While driving, signaling devices must be stored in a place protected from impacts and precipitation and at the same time easily accessible. And during rest stops, keep away from fire. Many pyrotechnics are susceptible to heat, intense friction and impacts, which can cause them to malfunction or even explode.

In addition to their direct purpose, almost all pyrotechnic signaling devices can be successfully used to scare away predatory animals - polar and brown bears, wolves, jackals, etc.

Household means for sending distress signals.

Although it’s a stretch, aerosol cans can be considered the simplest pyrotechnic signaling means. Anything from hairspray and other cosmetics to repellents. A jet of aerosol released from a can, if passed through the flame of a match or, flares up with a bright, several tens of centimeters long, torch, visible from the air for several kilometers. The aerosol should be released in short, no more than 1 - 2 seconds, presses with 2 - 5 second pauses. If the aerosol jet burns for a longer period of time, the can may explode in your hands.

If you need to send a long signal, you should dig the can into the ground, place a flat stone on the start button or pull it back with an elastic band passed through the bottom, place a small torch in the path of the jet and move a few meters to the side. And if you remember childhood pranks, you can use sulfur match heads, magnesium, cerium and other things. produce various “bombs”, firecrackers, “sparklers” and similar homemade, dubious properties, but still pyrotechnic light and sound signaling devices. Their production and use are associated with a certain risk, so I do not provide a specific recipe here. Anyone who was interested in such chemistry before, I think, will be able to use children’s skills not for entertainment, but for business.

Maritime international distress signals.

— Release of puffs of orange smoke.
— Flame on a ship, for example from a burning tar barrel.
- Rockets or grenades that emit red stars, released one at a time at short intervals.
— A red parachute rocket or a red flare.
— Flag signal NC (NC) according to the International Code of Signals.
— A signal consisting of a square flag with a ball above or below it.
- Slow, repeated raising and lowering of arms extended to the sides.
— Cannon shots or explosions made at intervals of about one minute, or a continuous sound produced by any fog signal apparatus.
— An SOS distress signal transmitted by radiotelegraph or other signaling system, or the word "mayday" spoken by radiotelephone.

All these signals have one single meaning, known to sailors all over the world - “I am in distress, I need help.”

Smoke and color distress signals in an emergency.

These include (in addition to the daytime signal) various smoke bombs and firecrackers, most often used at sea. Such bombs are triggered after the ignition cord is pulled out and burn, emitting orange smoke, from 1 minute (hand bomb) to 4 minutes (floating bomb). The floating smoke bomb used in fleets has a length of 253 mm, a diameter of 80 mm and a weight of 820 g. The estimated visibility range of a smoke signal lasting 3 minutes is one nautical mile. The checker is activated by pulling the ignition cord.

There are other types of smoke bombs. Up to those that one person simply cannot cope with. For example, a large smoke signal bomb has a length of 74 cm, a diameter of 21 cm and a weight of 32 kg. This giant “smoke” burns for 8 minutes, and its signal is visible 20 km away. In addition to color-smoke distress signals, there are special dyes that, when dissolved in water, create a large, colorful spot that is noticeable from afar. These include, for example, uranine, intended for use in the sea or in vast freshwater bodies.

Upon contact with water, uranine spreads over the surface, forming a huge spot of intense green-emerald color (if it gets into cold water) or orange color (if it gets into warm water). The dye remains visible for about 4 - 6 hours in calm water and only 2 - 3 hours in rough water. To some extent, various orange panels, awnings of life rafts and boats, clothes and tents in bright red colors can serve as color distress signals.

Based on materials from the book “School of Survival in Accidents and Natural Disasters.”
Ilyin A.

§ 63. COMMUNICATIONS AND SIGNALING FACILITIES

On small vessels, communications and signaling are necessary to communicate with the shore and other vessels and to issue distress signals.

All types of communication or signaling equipment on small vessels are divided into three main types: visual, audio, radio.

1. Visual alarm

Means of visual communication include flag and light signaling.

A. Flag signaling

Flag semaphore (Fig. 148, a) is the most common and accessible type of communication. Its essence is that each letter of the Russian alphabet corresponds to a certain position of the hands. The semaphore alphabet has 29 alphabetic signs, 8 service signs and 4 change of place signs. In order to use a flag semaphore, an amateur navigator must know it well, and on a vessel while sailing, have two brightly colored flags nailed to the handles for ease of use. It is also necessary to have a spare pair of semaphore flags.

Signal flags (see appendix) are used for communication and signaling with posts, lighthouses and passing ships. If an amateur sailor does not know by heart the meanings of each flag or combination of flags, then the ship needs to have a table where these meanings are written down. The navigator must know the combinations of flags given in the appendix by heart and have the combinations prepared on the ship in order to quickly issue a warning or distress signal at the right time or read a signal raised by another ship.

Single flag signal meanings

A - "I'm doing speed tests"

B - “I am loading (unloading) explosives”

IN - "I need medical help"

G - "I need a pilot"

D - “Stay away from me. I I have a hard time managing it"

E - "I am heading to the right"

AND - "I need help"

Z - Coast Station Call Alert

AND - "I'm going to make a semaphore message"

TO - "Stop your ship immediately"

L - “Stop. I have an important message."

M - "I have a doctor on board"

Rice. 148 a

N - "No", negative

ABOUT - "Man overboard"

P - At sea: "Your lights have gone out." At the port: “The crew must assemble for the ship”

R - "My ship can't move"

Rice. 148 b- individual signs and techniques

WITH - “My cars are running full speed backwards.”

T - "Don't cross my course"

U - "You are heading towards danger."

F - “I'm out of control. Keep in touch with me"

X - "I have a pilot on board"

C - "Yes", affirmative

SCH - "My ship is not infected"

b - “Stop your actions, follow me”

Y - "I'm delivering mail"

B. Light signaling

Light signaling is used in the dark, when it is impossible to transmit a message by other means of communication. Each letter of the Russian alphabet is assigned a specific combination, consisting of a set of dots and dashes transmitted by a spotlight, signal device or spot.

The point is transmitted by briefly pressing the key that closes electrical circuit. The dash must be three times longer than the dot.

In the absence of electric lighting, the message can be transmitted with an electric pocket torch or oil lantern, covering the light with the palm of the hand or a cap.

Rice. 149.A- combination of sunspots; b - signaling

Light signaling also includes a light-signal mirror (heliograph), which is a device that allows the rays reflected by the mirror to be sent in the form of light signals at a distance of up to 20 miles. This device is based on pointing the reflection of the solar disk (“bunny”) at the object of interest. The signal mirror consists of two metal plates fastened on a hinge, the surface of one of which is chrome-plated and polished. The plate has a sight hole. To give signals, the mirror should be held in the hand in such a way that through its sighting hole on the top wing you can see the ship or aircraft that is giving the signal (Fig. 149, a). In order for the “bunny” to fall on the target and your signal to be noticed on a ship or plane, it is necessary to rotate the mirror so that the beam passing through the sighting hole and reflected from the lower flap onto the inner surface of the upper flap in the form of a light circle coincides with the sighting hole (Fig. 149.6).

To prevent the mirror from falling into the water, it must have a cord that is worn around the neck when signaling.

Pyrotechnic signaling or pyrotechnic means are used to signal the location of a ship or when a ship is in distress. Pyrotechnics are divided into daytime (thick orange smoke) and nighttime (bright stars or flames).

The RB-40Sh lifeboat parachute rocket takes off to a height of at least 200 m, burns with a bright red fire and slowly descends by parachute. Burning duration 35 sec. Signal visibility range is 10-15 miles.

A night signal cartridge, usually called a "false flare", when burned, is held in the hands and produces a torch of red, blue or white light.

The cartridges are respectively designated F-2K, F-2G and F-2B.

Red flares are intended to give distress signals, white flares are used to attract attention, and blue flares are used to call a pilot. The signal duration for red and blue light cartridges is at least 60 seconds, for white light cartridges - 30 seconds. Visibility range 5 miles.

False flares are safe to use and are not blown away by the wind.

When triggered, the daylight signal cartridge emits orange smoke, which is visible from a distance of 3-4 miles. The burning time of the cartridge is at least 30 seconds.

Floating smoke bombs are effectively used during daylight hours. Thick orange smoke can be seen for at least 5 miles even in clear and calm weather. Smoke formation occurs within 5 minutes. and passes without open flame.

Pyrotechnic cartridges are reliable, and preparation for the action of the above-mentioned pyrotechnics takes no more than 7-10 seconds.

To give a signal, the cartridge cap is unscrewed and the ring with the cord is pulled out with a sharp movement. When giving a signal, all cartridges must be kept away from you and downwind.

Visual signaling also includes dyes on the water surface, clearly visible from an airplane.

Dyes include packages with dyes - fluorescein or uranine grade “A”, coloring the surface of the water over an area of ​​up to 50 m 2 in yellow-green color. The visibility range of such a spot from an airplane reaches 15-20 km.

When sailing in open waters, it is not necessary to have all of the above pyrotechnic signaling devices, but at least 1-2 means from each of the above pyrotechnic groups must be carried on the ship. You can have one remedy that reliably replaces another. This is necessary in case of a distress signal. To avoid fire, pyrotechnic signals should only be lit overboard on the leeward side of the vessel.

2. Sound alarm

On small vessels, to give signals, attract attention, indicate their location in fog (poor visibility), in the absence of visual signaling, all types of car signals, whistles, signal horns, and bells are used. The audibility range of a car signal is 1 mile, a horn - 0.5 miles, a whistle - twice as far as the audibility of a voice, electric, air sirens and steam whistles - 2 km.

The P12 distress signal cartridge produces a signal sound that can be heard in calm weather at a distance of at least 5 miles.

3. Radio alarm

The emergency portable boat radio station "Sloop" and the emergency aircraft radio station "Kedr-S", which can operate both from an automatic alarm and distress signal sensor and from a manual key, can be used as a radio signal for sending distress signals on small vessels. The receiver of the Sloop radio station has two wave bands: 400-550 kHz and 600-9000 kHz. Signals can be transmitted on waves with frequencies 500, 6273 and 8364 kHz. The station has the shape of a cylinder with a diameter of 280 mm, height 500 mm, weighs 25 kg and is powered by a manual generator.

Radio station "Kedr-S" operates on frequencies 500, 2232, 4465, 8928 and 13392 kHz. The set weighs 25 kg There are two types of antennas included. Power is supplied from dry batteries.

As a radio signaling device for small vessels, we can also recommend an emergency portable radio station of the “Raft” type, designed for sending and receiving telegraph and telephone call and distress signals, as well as for receiving signals in the medium bands (100-550 kHz), intermediate (1605-2800 kHz) and short (6000-8000 kHz) waves There is an automatic alarm sensor.

The radio station is powered by a hand generator. The receiver can also be powered by water-filled batteries of the “Dymok” type, which are included in the supply of rescue equipment. The radio station consumes no more than 35 Tue, and when taken no more than 6 Tue. The amount of electricity consumed from water-filled batteries during reception does not exceed 1.5 Tue.

The "raft" weighs 23 kg, has dimensions 270X300X415 mm and can operate with a 6 meter telescopic antenna, a 9 meter mast antenna and a 100 meter box kite antenna.

Radar passive reflectors installed on sailing, rowing, wooden, and plastic boats are also among the signaling means by which navigators of vessels where ship radar stations are installed detect small vessels. The installation of passive radar reflectors is necessary for the timely detection of small vessels by vessels of a large fleet both in open waters and on inland waterways. There are many cases where the timely detection of a small vessel in poor visibility and fog prevented a collision of small vessels with large ones when the latter changed its course.

The presence of passive radar reflectors on small vessels is crucial in rescue operations to search for vessels swept out to sea.

The passive radar reflector consists of three metal exactly perpendicular disks with a diameter of 240 mm and thickness 1 mm. TO a steel tube with a diameter of 50 is attached to one of the disks mm and length 130 mm. It is mounted on a two-meter wooden rod, which, together with the reflector, is installed vertically on the mast.

Pyrotechnics are used to attract attention; Any of the following signals indicates that a vessel or person is in distress and requires immediate assistance.

The parachute flare produces a bright red light, visible both at night and during the day. When launched in a vertical direction, the rocket soars to a height of at least 300 m, and in clear weather its fire is visible at a distance of up to 20-30 miles. The rocket descends on its parachute at a speed of no more than 5 m/s, and the burning duration of the pyrotechnic composition is 40 s.

A flare is a pyrotechnic cartridge that produces a bright red fire. In clear weather, the fire is visible from a distance of about 6 miles. While burning, the flare is held in the hand. Do not look into the fire, as this can cause severe eye injury.

The flare burns for 60 seconds. The flare continues to burn after being immersed in water to a depth of 10 cm for 10 s.

A smoke bomb is used to give a signal during the daytime. It creates a cloud of thick orange smoke. Smoke formation continues for at least 3 minutes and is not interrupted when the checker is immersed in water for 10 s to a depth of 10 cm.

The body of the saber quickly heats up to a high temperature, therefore, in order not to burn your hands, the saber must be thrown into the water as soon as the smoke generator begins to operate. You need to throw the saber downwind relative to the rescue device, so that the wind blows the smoke to the side and there is no danger of suffocating from the smoke.

All pyrotechnics require maximum caution when used. Each such device is supplied with instructions containing instructions on the procedure for giving the corresponding signal and precautions. The instructions are printed on the body (sleeve) of the signaling device. The procedure is illustrated with pictograms, which allows this tool to be used by a person who does not speak the language in which the instructions are written. Under no circumstances should you use pyrotechnics against the wind.

The signal mirror (heliograph) allows you to attract attention at a distance of up to 20 miles during the daytime in clear weather. In order for the “bunny” to hit the appropriate target (ship, plane, coastal post), you can use a sight - a plate or shield with a hole. To do this, you need to hold the shield at arm's length and observe the object through the hole in the shield. Bring the heliograph to your eye and look through the hole in the mirror at the hole in the shield and at the target; by changing the position of the mirror, ensure that the “bunny” hits the hole in the shield, and, consequently, the target.

An electric flashlight is used to provide a distress signal. The signal is the letters SOS in Morse code: three dots, three dashes, three dots.

A distress signal is a square flag raised on a mast (pole, oar, etc.) and a ball or something similar to a ball raised above or below it.

A distress signal is also the slow raising and lowering of arms outstretched to the side.

The radiotelephone distress signal is the word “Mayday” spoken aloud.

For radio communication of collective life-saving equipment with each other and with the abandoned ship, as well as with other ships within visibility, and for sending a radiotelephone distress signal, a portable ultra-short wave (VHF) radio station is used. The ship must have 2-3 stations located at the place of navigation watch. If the stations are used in everyday work, then spare batteries should be stored with them; if everyday use stations are not allowed, then the stations must be stored in a sealed form. When the ship is abandoned, the radios are transferred to lifeboats and rafts.

Portable VHF radio

The wearable VHF radio is waterproof. The two-way telephone must be capable of operating on VHF channel 16 and at least one more additional channel. Battery power is designed to operate for 8 hours with a ratio of 1:1:8 time for transmission, reception and standby listening. The radio station can operate at reduced power (0.25 W), providing communication on board the ship, and full power (2-5 W), used for communication of life-saving equipment with the ship and with each other. Switching on, selecting channels and modes is carried out by button control.

The distance over which communications can be made in the VHF range depends on the power of the transmitting radio station and the height of the antennas of the transmitter and receiver. So, with sufficient transmitter power, its antenna height of 1.5 m and the receiver antenna height of 12 m, this distance is about 9-10 miles.

All sea vessels are equipped with internal and external signaling equipment in strict accordance with the Rules of the USSR Register and the Supply Sheet for Marine Vessels. Good condition, constant readiness of ship's signaling equipment and proper organization of the signaling service are necessary conditions for successful and accident-free navigation.

Internal alarms (emergency, fire, bilge, temperature, service) play an important role in ensuring the safety of the ship, cargo and people on board. The emergency alarm notifies about a declared general emergency emergency; fire department - about the location of the fire; bilge and temperature - about changes in temperature or the appearance of water in the holds; service allows you to quickly notify any crew member or call him to a designated place.

External signaling means are divided into visual (optical), sound (acoustic) and radio.

Visual communication are:

Flags - International Code of Signals (ICS);

Semaphore - manual and mechanical (semaphore wings); signal figures - balls, cones, cylinders, T-shaped signs and stripes, etc.;

Lighting - distinctive lights, spotlights, flashing lamps, rockets, flares, etc.

Audio communications are: bells, gongs, whistles, sirens, air typhons.

Radio technical means of communication are ship radiotelegraph and radiotelephone stations.

Flag signaling has 40 flags, of which 26 are alphabetic, quadrangular in shape; 10 - digital, triangular; 3 - triangular, replacing any of the S6 main flags if they are repeated in the same signal. The last (40th) flag - the pennant of the code - serves to notify that negotiations are underway under the International Code of Signals (ICS).

International Code of Signals(1965) is intended to maintain communication in an environment caused by the need to ensure the safety of navigation and the protection of human life at sea, especially in cases where language communication difficulties arise. The code is convenient for signal production by all means of communication, including radiotelephone and radiotelegraph, which makes it possible to eliminate the need for a separate radiotelegraph code. Each MCC signal has a complete semantic meaning, which eliminates the need to compose signals according to words.

The signals used in the International Code of Signals consist of:

Single-letter signals intended for very urgent, important or frequently used messages (Table 11);

Two-letter signals that make up general section: disaster - accident, accidents - damage, aids to navigation - navigation - hydrography, maneuvering, miscellaneous (cargo, ballast, crew, people, fishing, pilot, port, harbour), meteorology - weather, communications, international sanitary regulations, addition tables;

Table 11

The material in the Code is compiled into groups in accordance with the topic and, for ease of analysis of signals, is located in alphabetical order signal combinations, which are placed on the left side of the pages before the signal values. To facilitate the set of signals, some of them are repeated in different thematic groups. Signals for transmitting messages are observed using qualifier words that reflect the main topic of the message being prepared. An alphabetical index of defining words is placed at the end of the Code.

Semaphore signaling (manual, mechanical, semaphore panels) allows you to negotiate via MSS or using a special semaphore alphabet. When negotiating using a special semaphore alphabet, different positions of the hands in relation to the signalman's body or different positions of the wings of a mechanical semaphore in relation to the vertical base correspond to letter values.

Signal figures have their advantages: they are visible at a considerable distance, do not depend on the direction of the wind, and are clearly visible at sunset and sunrise.

In the daytime, signal figures replace signal lights and also serve for negotiations with ships and coastal stations.

On the coasts of the seas and oceans there are numerous coastal signal stations that monitor the movement of ships, transmitted signals, and the weather, warning ships of impending danger. Each signal (a combination of flags, cones, cylinders, balls) is assigned its own number, with the help of which its semantic meaning can be found in the tables of the International System of Signals.

Boatmasters must be well aware of the semantic meaning of shore signals, lights and figures.

Light signaling is carried out using flashing lights, flashing lamps, lanterns, spotlights, heliographs and prisms. Transmission is carried out in short (dot) and long (dash) flashes in Morse code.

Sound communications. For negotiations using sound signals, the same Morse code is adopted as for light. Produce sound signals can be done by any sound means, including a ship's whistle or siren.

Sound signals may have local or international significance.

Pyrotechnic signaling devices(false flares, rockets, grenades) on sea ​​vessels used as light, sound or explosive signals. They are used both in the dark and in the daytime, but always with good visibility. During daylight hours, only rockets that produce colored lights or stars are used.

Radio engineering communications. The minimum of mandatory radio equipment for each ship, depending on the navigation area and destination, is determined by the USSR Register Rules.