If you see a distress signal or a person in danger on a boat, immediately call emergency services or the Coast Guard to report the situation and provide your location. If it's safe to do so, approach the distressed vessel while keeping a safe distance, and offer assistance if you are trained and equipped to help. Always prioritize your safety and the safety of others while ensuring help is on the way.
Keeping his/her vessel and crew out of danger
The primary responsibility for a vessel operator assisting a boat in distress is keeping his/her vessel and him/herself out of danger.
Keeping his/her vessel and crew out of danger
Keeping his/her vessel and him/herself out of danger
Keeping his/her vessel and crew out of danger
Keeping his/her vessel and crew out of danger
Keeping his/her vessel and crew out of danger
Keeping his/her vessel and crew out of danger
Keeping his/her vessel and crew out of danger
Keeping his/her vessel and crew out of danger
The danger signal
An upside down flag is generally recognized as a signal of distress, and should be used only during an emergency.