Visual Distress Signal required ?

Hunt Nasty

This may a be a dumb question but while reading the FWC Safety requirements this weekend, I was confused regarding the VDS Requirements.

"Visual Distress Signal Required on the high sea and coastal waters only.

Must carry visual distress signal for both day and nighttime use.

NOTE: Coastal waters means the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and all bays, sounds, harbors, rivers, inlets, etc. where any entrance is over 2 miles wide to the first point where the distance between shorelines narrows to 2 miles."

Do you need one in inshore waters? I fish out of a 19ft boat.

Parkerboy

Hunt Nasty wrote: »

This may a be a dumb question but while reading the FWC Safety requirements this weekend, I was confused regarding the VDS Requirements.

"Visual Distress Signal Required on the high sea and coastal waters only.

Must carry visual distress signal for both day and nighttime use.

NOTE: Coastal waters means the Atlantic Ocean, Gulf of Mexico, and all bays, sounds, harbors, rivers, inlets, etc. where any entrance is over 2 miles wide to the first point where the distance between shorelines narrows to 2 miles."

Do you need one in inshore waters? I fish out of a 19ft boat.

Yes, you are required to have a visual distress signal. Your term inshore falls within the bounds of areas you described.

Doc Stressor

You don't need to carry visual distress signals inshore on the Big Bend as long as you remain in the rivers and creeks. None of these are 2 miles wide. But if you run outside, say from the mouth of the Homosassa to any of the Ozello rivers or creeks, you are in coastal water and technically should be carrying the proper signals.

But it's always a good idea to carry smoke and flares in the back country. They make it much easier to find you.

Jim311

Doc's advice is what I was told by FWC. I was offshore in Homosassa scalloping, maybe 3 miles from shore in my Gheenoe and was given a warning for not having flares. I've never been asked for them before and I questioned them about it and was told that any time I left the "coastal barrier" I needed to be carrying them. I keep them in the box now, although I am almost never asked for them, even when stopped outside the coastline. Figured if nothing else I could start a fire with them if I get stranded somewhere

Last_Dollar

Every couple years I grab a coast guard kit for $75-100 just to throw the stuff in a rubermaid tub to please "the man", also only fish inshore but I can see east coast being different than your river systems where you are.

Hunt Nasty

Appreciate it guys