A orange smoke signal is for daylight use only. It is most effective in good weather conditions.

Orange smoke is particularly useful for indicating distress to aircraft.

The hand-held red is a short range distress signal and is used during the day or at night when in sight of another vessel, a rescue helicopter or land. It is less bright than a parachute flare and will burn for about one minute with a visibility range of a few miles.

This is a pinpoint flare which can also help to indicate precisely the position of a vessel in distress when help is on the way.

The red parachute rocket flare provides a long range signal by firing a very bright flare to a height of about 300m. It is suitable for use during the day or at night.

Parachute rocket flares have been known to be visible in favourable weather conditions over considerable distances e.g. as far as 28 miles.

A parachute rocket flare should not be used if a helicopter is in the vicinity.