AhaBulbStuff Everyone Should Know
AhaBulb: Stuff Everyone Should Know · ahabulb.com/boat-orange-distress-flag-day

The orange distress flag with a black square and ball counts as what kind of signal?

Day signal only.

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  1. Night only
  2. Day and night
  3. Day only ✔

Why: The orange distress flag is a day signal only. It must be at least 3 by 3 feet with a black square and ball on orange, and it shows best waved on a paddle or boat hook.

Huh, didn't know that: Under 33 CFR 175.130, one orange flag meets the day-only requirement by itself.

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What's orange and sounds like a parrot? A carrot.
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References

Answer: Day only. The orange distress flag is a day signal only. It must be at least 3 by 3 feet with a black square and ball on orange, and it shows best waved on a paddle or boat hook.

  1. USCG A Boater's Guide to the Federal Requirements for Recreational Boats (2023) www.uscgboating.org/assets/1/AssetManager/Boaters-Guide-to-Federal-Requirements-for-Receational-Boats-20231108.pdf
    Used as a day signal only.
    Checked 2026-10-09.
  2. 33 CFR 175.130 Visual distress signals accepted www.ecfr.gov/current/title-33/chapter-I/subchapter-S/part-175/subpart-C/section-175.130
    One is required to meet the day only requirement.
    Checked 2026-10-09.

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Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterIf you use flares to meet the visual distress signal rule, how many are required?Boating & WaterPyrotechnic distress flares expire how long after they are made?Boating & WaterAn electronic visual distress light meets which part of the signal requirement?

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