SOS LED distress signal

T

thataway

Active member
Active Captain's Defender "special of the week" is a "Sirius Signal": LED SOS signal. Apparently this meets US Coast Guard requirements for a night distress signal, and a black circle/squared on orange background standard day distress signal. (for $79.99 with Active captain code)

https://siriussignal.com Is the maker's web site (all developed and made in America.

Not yet approved by Transport Canada.

What are your opinions of this as a distress signal? (As I understand, this light is the only required night distress signal--no more new flares.)

I'll reserve my thoughts for now.

550696.jpg
 
Though it would be nice to never have to worry about being in compliance, I couldn't feel like that would be as effective as ariel flares night or day.
 
Well Bob, I guess I'd have to see just how bright and attention getting it is. I spend a fair amount of time looking out on the water at various and sortid lights and unless the signal was really significantly different and attention grabbing, I'm not sure it would spring me into action. Now, if a saw a flare, I would call The CG. Might be that we would learn to attribute a certain familiarity to something new and learn to differentiate it enough to be useful beyond location marking. Certainly would be illuminating longer than a flare.
 
I agree, unless there is something (unmentioned) that distinguishes this SOS light from other types of light, I expect that it could be overlooked amongst other lights unless someone has already called for help and the rescuers are actively looking for something.

Also, aerial signals can be seen from a much greater range due to their height even if they do not last all that long.

That said, having something that does not expire and have to be replaced because some date has passed would be nice. Not having to transport and/or dispose of hazardous material would also be nice. There is much less chance of accidents with this SOS light vs. flares or shells.

On the other hand, the SOS light would not be as effective for self defense (as seen in movies) as flares or shells. In a pinch, signal flares also make decent fire starters.

On a cost equivalent basis, the SOS light will need to be useful for more than 9 years to beat the cost of recreational boat flares. Will it last that long?
 
I think the flashing ... --- ... (SOS) code should distinguish it from other lights. However it clearly won't go up as high as a flare so visibility from various places on land and in higher swells and seas will be limited in some cases. On the other hand, it does have the benefit of staying on for far longer than a flare so that might make up for the reduced visibility due to height of the ground. The handheld stick flares only burn for 3 minutes and a 12g meteor type flare has a specified burn time of about 7s. This will signal for hours.

Also, if your alternative is a handheld stick flare, the height of this is the same without the fire hazard. Finally, some people should probably never have any flame source in their fiberglass boat as evidenced by this story posted by a guy in 2009.

For a day time signal it probably won't be as effective as a smoky handheld flare and I'm not sure the flag would be too useful as unfortunately many recreational boaters have no idea what a distress flag indicates. I think it's probably a nice replacement for the handheld flares but I'd still want a few meteor types on board.
 
Interesting.
I bought the ACR version (blinks SOS for up to 72 hours) when it first came out.
http://www.landfallnavigation.com/sa1842.html
That would be equivalent to thousands of flares, in theory.
In reality, in many areas there are a multitude of lights already, which can be confused with lights on land and nonemergency lights.
Keep your sissified milqetoast panty-waisted Cree LED. I'll take ONLY SOLAS approved manly night distress signals (and type I Offshore SOLAS 2010 standard lifejackets with Revere SOLAS strobes). And no one will mistake them for a kid watching the movie Gravity on his cellphone. Especially if all my 150 gallons of gas is floating with us when I fire off a SOLAS flare. That would get lots more attention than that wimpy LED toy.
On the other hand, I might get one.
Dr Bob, I find that if I Reserve my thoughts too long they Leave. Don't let that happen here.
Cheers!
John
 
Bob, I think what you show is a great idea. As a matter of fact, I got tired of buying flares that I never used several years ago and went and read the requirements. The requirement is (and it's paraphrased) to have a visual signaling device for both day and night. Detail here: BoatSafe Visual Distress Signals.

So the orange flag is valid for daytime and the flashing light is valid for night. Mine is incandescent and used a 6 volt battery which I replace every year (or so.) Meets the requirement.

The BoatSafe article referenced above is written by a Coast Guard commander and he recommends a VHF radio as the best safety feature. Got 2 of those: fixed and handheld.

I think that LED device is a great idea.

Boris
 
Will be putting ditch bag together for next season with everything needed. Will have E-Pirb for boat and small locater device for our life jackets. Strobe light whistle ect on life jackets also floating vhf radio.
 
gulfcoast john":ija9doqr said:
Interesting.
I bought the ACR version (blinks SOS for up to 72 hours) when it first came out.
http://www.landfallnavigation.com/sa1842.html
That would be equivalent to thousands of flares, in theory.
In reality, in many areas there are a multitude of lights already, which can be confused with lights on land and nonemergency lights.
Keep your sissified milqetoast panty-waisted Cree LED. I'll take ONLY SOLAS approved manly night distress signals (and type I Offshore SOLAS 2010 standard lifejackets with Revere SOLAS strobes). And no one will mistake them for a kid watching the movie Gravity on his cellphone. Especially if all my 150 gallons of gas is floating with us when I fire off a SOLAS flare. That would get lots more attention than that wimpy LED toy.
On the other hand, I might get one.
Dr Bob, I find that if I Reserve my thoughts too long they Leave. Don't let that happen here.
Cheers!
John
Click to expand...

John always has good ideas--but my thoughts don't fly away...

It seems like half of the flashlights you buy these days, have an SOS beacon function. John is correct, that you have to be looking at the beam, unless you are at close range to know what it is. However the ACR (great products) light is not 360 degrees, and has to be "pointed", and it has been discontented for some reason. I could not find it in the current ACR line up.

Larry Patrick, good on for building an emergency kit. When we were crossing oceans, we had one EPRIB packed with the inflatable, and one by the main companionway. (No PLB at that time, but we would have had one for each crew member. We did have portable VHF, in a water tight container.
 
I ordered the device yesterday.

I expect that the USCG tested prototypes before approval, so I'm satisfied with that. Meanwhile, I will continue to carry the collection of outdated flares currently on board; but now they will be strictly backups - the legal requirement is covered by the new device.

In actual use I suspect the device would be blindingly bright (at night), and it appears to be omnidirectional. I'm assuming it floats.

After it arrives I plan to take it down to the pool, at night, to give it a try. Stay tuned.

Best,
C&M
 
Larry Patrick":1a3k1n91 said:
Will be putting ditch bag together for next season with everything needed. Will have E-Pirb for boat and small locater device for our life jackets. Strobe light whistle ect on life jackets also floating vhf radio.
Click to expand...

Along with the techie stuff, we have low-tech gear that takes little space:
Speedo swim caps (I use the hotel shower caps in the field)
A huge leaf bag (garbage bag) to stay inside of
Some swim goggles or at least a dive mask

If you've ever spent more than several hours bobbing in the open water, you'll know why these are primo importante.
 
I suppose having both would be ideal. After you get peoples attention with a starburst flare they would be able to home in on your exact location with the beacon. I won't be throwing out my flares any time soon. As others have said flares can serve different purposes in a pinch. In Canada where getting a permit to carry and transport a handgun is next to impossible some boaters take comfort in having the 12 gauge onboard as some sort of defensive weapon. I would certainly walk away if somebody was pointing one at me.
 
Smart phones, tablets, and LEDs are taking over the world.

At USCG Aux. classes last year the signaling devices presenter showed us the various flares, but then he showed a variety of LED. It was obvious the LEDs were or shortly would be far better. And some are bright enough for daytime alerting.

And in the navigation class the presenter after training us in the paper version and compass (which will never go out of date) discussed electronic versions. Chart plotters are inherently kludgey, I got one, but it will be the last. A small computer or larger pad will be far better. Even my large smart phone does a great job. Chart plotter do a great job at integrating depth, radar, maps, and heading, but the adept (not me at this point) can or will be doing much of the same. In a year or two.
 
RobL,

I certainly agree with your comment about a PC for navigation. I'd also like to mention the free OpenCpn navigation software for a PC. With the free NOAA charts, you can upgrade your Nav MFD to a 15" screen. OpenCpn uses an external GPS for a PC and can display AIS if you have a receiver. It will overlay radar with a Garmin or 3G radar. Really complete.

OpenCpn also has a version for Android operating systems for tablets. Just released.

Finally, looking at Judy's cell phone, it's hard to imagine what navigation info would be displayed on such a small screen. How does it look?

Boris
 
BrentB":36e4dn9i said:
Did the CG test it? I thought they didn't and the vendor does it to met the required standards published in CFR.
Click to expand...
Yes, this is US Coast Guard approved--that is the Sirius Signal. I could not find any others which was US CG approved--but I may have missed some.

I disagree about the chart plotter vs the computer, especially in a small boat underway in a choppy sea. In my opinion the I phone is too small for serious navigation--but in a pinch it works fine. The larger 6 may be better. I use both an I pad, and 10" chart plotter (also 7", and 5", to display all of the information I want). I used a computer back when the chart plotters were clunky--but the latest are very fast, and easy to use. But this is a subject we will disagree on.

As for swim caps, plastic bags, and dive mask in a ditch bag--it is my intent to stay out of the water, at all costs! We use the dinghy as our emergency raft, and have done this for a long time, including our ocean passages across Pacific and Atlantic etc. (I might get a valise packed raft in today's world). But that is a wild digression from the subject…

I'll probably post my thoughts on the Sirius device tonight..
 
I agree that this is a cool idea, however, nowhere in the description, specifications or add copy does it expressly say that this light flashes the distinct Morse code SOS signal ( ... --- ... or dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot), which would be a recognizable pattern, maybe even to a not so observant observer, nor does it say if it is a red or white producing LED, just that it is a CREE. Though it does say it is US Coast Guard approved.

It may be just a flashing strobe. In that case, it may not be recognized by that not so observant observer as an emergency signal. For years I have had waterproof, solas approved strobes on my PFDs. Now my spot light has a strobe function, as do my flashlights, my handheld VHF, and my cell phone. Everybody has a blinker, and we see them often. Do you call the USCG when you see a strobe flashing? Maybe more likely when on the water, BUT IF it was flashing ... _ _ _ ... and it was bright red, that would get some attention.

I like that it is an end to buying and disposing :wink: of expired flares, but I would not want to count on it entirely as my sole emergency night signal. Would I carry it, maybe as a redundant accessory, allowing me to not have to replace flares every other year.

As to swim caps, I carry 2 hunter orange watch caps for wear in the event of everything coming unglued. (I heard from a friend of mine in the USCG that looking for a coconut floating in the ocean is a bit challenging.)

Looking forward to your thoughts Bob.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

PS: I tried to call Sirius to confirm the light pattern and the color. Only able to leave a voice message. Will post if I get a call back.

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
 
hardee":3333w2vx said:
I agree that this is a cool idea, however, nowhere in the description, specifications or add copy does it expressly say that this light flashes the distinct Morse code SOS signal ( ... --- ... or dot dot dot dash dash dash dot dot dot), which would be a recognizable pattern, maybe even to a not so observant observer, nor does it say if it is a red or white producing LED, just that it is a CREE. Though it does say it is US Coast Guard approved.

It may be just a flashing strobe. In that case, it may not be recognized by that not so observant observer as an emergency signal. For years I have had waterproof, solas approved strobes on my PFDs. Now my spot light has a strobe function, as do my flashlights, my handheld VHF, and my cell phone. Everybody has a blinker, and we see them often. Do you call the USCG when you see a strobe flashing? Maybe more likely when on the water, BUT IF it was flashing ... _ _ _ ... and it was bright red, that would get some attention.

I like that it is an end to buying and disposing :wink: of expired flares, but I would not want to count on it entirely as my sole emergency night signal. Would I carry it, maybe as a redundant accessory, allowing me to not have to replace flares every other year.

As to swim caps, I carry 2 hunter orange watch caps for wear in the event of everything coming unglued. (I heard from a friend of mine in the USCG that looking for a coconut floating in the ocean is a bit challenging.)

Looking forward to your thoughts Bob.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

PS: I tried to call Sirius to confirm the light pattern and the color. Only able to leave a voice message. Will post if I get a call back.

JC_Lately_SleepyC_Flat_Blue_070.thumb.jpg
Click to expand...

The one online video I have been able to find (on their facebook page) shows a VERY bright white LED, flashing an SOS pattern (although the guy posting the video turns it off halfway through the O). I think it would be very visible from the tested 10 miles or less and fairly easily distinguishable from other light sources.
 
Concensus seems to be: these are will be good signaling devices to have but flares etc are still needed. I agree with that, flares are probably much more attention getting, if somewhat brief and these would be a good addition with much longer duration. Also nice to know you're never out of date!! I've got plenty of past expire date flares--even if, due to age they don't all go off, it is still more than just 3 current date flares. In this case I think that more is always better!!
 
Back
Top