Night time distress signals

[HURRICANEBOB]

What do you all think and use? I have become leery of using flares. Just seems to me to be way to easy to burn yourself, or the boat, or get blwon up if an accident has caused a fuel spill. And a flare gun just sounds way too much like an invitation to a law suit. (I picture myself pulling the trigger to call for help, and watch in panic as the flare wanders off path and drops on teh roof of someones $250,000 house boat).

So I'm think I want an automatic SOS light. But where and the heck can you get one? Coast Guard says they have to have an USCP approval sticker on them. I found 2 total on the whole internet, that signal SOS continuously when you turn them on. One of the 2 is USCG approved, but the manufacturer (ACR) quit making them. And the other one, is NOT USCG approved, but can be had from Hydrostar ( http://www.thewaterproofstore.com/sosdeluxe.html ).

I guess I'm crazy, but why does the Coast Guard make me have an automatic SOS light, when I can do that with a spot light manually? I mean, if the boat is sinking, even the flares aren't automatic.

Ya ever set off a hand held flare on a boat? Just seems to me like a great way to make an accident even worse.

[kygorski]

We carried a flare gun. On the great lakes it was a distress signal, here in ky, its jest dem ole firewerks

[flyfish]

I think you have to consider where and when you fish. I carry flares and smoke but I'm a masters captain and I spend a good amount of time in the saltwater, way offshore. However, when I'm fishing here in my other boats I always have my dry bag, which doubles as a ditch bag. I have clothes, plastic bags, firestarter, lights, food, etc.

Generally speaking, in my opinion, if you aren't alone and have a heart attack, I think you can survive with a properly equipped ditch bag and a life jacket. Swim to shore, change you clothes, and build a fire if needed. Then hike to the nearest house or road.

But if you want some sort of electronic SOS, I'd recommend a Spot or an EPIRB, in addition to your ditch bag.

[walkeraviator]

Im with flyfish... have a ditchbag on deck (not in a compartment) if the boat goes down things in teh compartments can he hard to get to, but if it is deck itll float with you in your life jacket... swim to shore, then worry about rescue (usually involves walking out on your own)