🔍 Key Concepts

• 46 CFR requirements for visual distress signals carriage and serviceability • Expiration limits for pyrotechnic distress signals measured from date of manufacture • Differences in service life between handheld flares, meteors, and smoke signals

💭 Think About

• Is the regulatory service life for orange smoke distress signals the same as for other pyrotechnic visual distress signals, or different? • Does the regulation describe the life in years and then you convert that to months, or does it list the life directly in months? • Think about how often vessels must typically replace all their pyrotechnic distress signals to remain compliant—what interval sounds realistic from a safety and practical standpoint?

✅ Before You Answer

• Check 46 CFR for the visual distress signal section that specifies the maximum allowable age from date of manufacture. • Confirm whether the regulation uses 3-year language and then convert properly to months if needed. • Verify that you are looking specifically at orange smoke distress signals, not just red flares or meteors.