2 min read · Updated 27 June 2026
Distress flares are pyrotechnic signals that show a boat's position and call for help. A red flare is an internationally recognised signal of distress; orange smoke marks a position by day. They are a long-standing part of a boat's safety equipment — most valuable in the final stage of a rescue, when they guide rescuers the last distance to the boat.
The types of flare
There are three common types, each with a job:
- Red hand-held flare — burns a bright red light for close range, day or night, to pinpoint your position to a nearby vessel or aircraft.
- Red parachute (rocket) flare — fires high into the sky and drifts down on a parachute, visible over a long distance, to raise the alarm at range, mainly at night.
- Orange smoke flare — dense orange smoke to mark a position in daylight, especially for aircraft and helicopters.
When to use them
Use a flare in a genuine distress situation to attract attention and, above all, to guide rescuers to you once help is near. Because flares are visible only for a limited time and range, they work best when someone is in a position to see them: a parachute flare to raise the alarm, then hand-held and smoke flares to pinpoint you for an approaching rescuer. Firing flares with no one to see them just wastes a limited resource.
Handle them carefully — they are explosive devices that burn extremely hot; follow the instructions, point them correctly and keep them away from the body and the sails.
Expiry and disposal
Pyrotechnic flares carry an expiry date — typically a few years from manufacture — after which they may not fire reliably and should be replaced. Expired flares must be disposed of properly and safely, not thrown in the bin, through a marine authority or approved collection point, because they are explosive. Keeping the flare pack in date is part of routine safety checks.
Flares and modern beacons
Flares and an EPIRB complement each other: the beacon alerts search and rescue and gives your position over vast distances by satellite, while flares help rescuers see exactly where you are in the close final stage. Many sailors now also carry electronic (LED) flares, which don't expire the same way, but pyrotechnic flares remain standard — and often required — kit, alongside the VHF radio for voice distress calls. For the vocabulary, see the sailing terms glossary.
Frequently asked questions
- What are distress flares?
- Distress flares are pyrotechnic signals carried on boats to show their position and signal that they need help. A red flare — hand-held or fired high by a rocket — is an internationally recognised signal of distress, while orange smoke is used to mark a position in daylight. Flares are part of a boat's required safety equipment in many waters and are used to attract attention and guide rescuers to the boat once help is on the way.
- What are the different types of flare?
- There are three common types. A red hand-held flare burns a bright red light for close-range use, day or night, to pinpoint your position to a nearby vessel or aircraft. A red parachute (rocket) flare fires high into the sky and drifts down on a parachute, visible over a long distance, to raise the alarm at a distance, mainly at night. An orange smoke flare produces dense orange smoke to mark a position in daylight, useful for aircraft and helicopters.
- When should you use a distress flare?
- Use a flare in a genuine distress situation to attract attention and, especially, to guide rescuers to you once you know help is nearby. Because flares are visible only for a limited time and range, they are most effective when there is someone in a position to see them — so parachute flares raise the alarm and hand-held and smoke flares pinpoint your position for an approaching vessel or aircraft. Firing flares with no one to see them wastes a limited resource.
- Do flares have an expiry date?
- Yes. Pyrotechnic flares carry an expiry date, typically a few years from manufacture, after which they may not fire reliably and should be replaced. Expired flares must be disposed of properly and safely — not simply thrown out — usually through a designated collection point, marine authority or approved disposal service, because they are explosive devices. Boats keep their flare pack in date as part of routine safety checks.
- Are flares still needed if you have an EPIRB?
- They serve different purposes and complement each other. An EPIRB alerts search and rescue and gives your position over vast distances via satellite, but flares help rescuers pinpoint you visually in the final stage of a rescue, when they are close but still need to see exactly where you are. Many sailors now also carry electronic (LED) flares, which do not expire in the same way, but pyrotechnic flares remain part of standard and often required safety kit.