What Every Deck Officer Must Know

Onboard any seagoing vessel, the bridge is not just the nerve centre for navigation and communication – it is also a critical safety zone. Among its many emergency tools and systems, one category stands out during distress situations – pyrotechnics.

Often locked away and forgotten until a drill or inspection, bridge pyrotechnics are your last visual call for help when all else fails. Every officer must not only know where these are, but how they work, what they are meant for, and how to keep them compliant and ready.

This blog breaks it all down – practical, real, and for seafarers like you.

An Overview of Pyrotechnics

Pyrotechnics, briefly defined as distress signals that create the illumination of light, smoke or both, can be used to help alert nearby ships, airplanes or shore authorities of distress. Pyrotechnics do not function like GMDSS or EPIRBs because they provide visual confirmation the vessel is in distress and require nothing but the pyrotechnics to alert the vessel in distress.

Why Are Pyrotechnics Kept on the Bridge

The bridge team is the first to respond to any emergency. Having pyrotechnics within arm’s reach during a distress situation ensures no time is lost. If communication equipment fails, or if a situation escalates rapidly, bridge pyrotechnics provide a backup distress signaling method that works without power, radio, or satellite.

Where Are They Stored

Pyrotechnics on the bridge are usually stowed in an approved watertight container, placed near the navigating officer’s chair or on the bridge wing, depending on ship design. The storage box must be clearly marked, secured against weather and tampering, and should only contain approved items.

This box should be immediately accessible and included in the safety equipment plan onboard.

Types of Pyrotechnics on the Bridge

Under SOLAS Chapter III and the LSA Code, the minimum requirement for bridge pyrotechnics includes:

• One. Red Hand Flares

Produces a bright red flame for at least one minute

Used to signal position at night or during low visibility

Easily held in hand, activated by pulling a trigger or cord

Should be visible for up to 5 nautical miles

• Two Parachute Red Rockets

Launches vertically and bursts high in the air with a red flare

Visible up to 30 to 40 nautical miles in clear weather

Altitude: Minimum 300 metres

Burn time: Minimum 40 seconds

Very effective for long-distance alerting

Three. Buoyant Smoke Signals

(Mostly in lifeboats and life rafts, but sometimes spare units are stored near the bridge)

Creates dense orange smoke for daytime distress signaling

Burn time: Minimum 3 minutes

Ideal for visual marking from the air or by rescue boats

On the bridge, usually only red hand flares and parachute rockets are kept in the dedicated container. Smoke signals are standard in lifeboats and life rafts.

Quantity Required on the Bridge

As per SOLAS, a minimum of twelve parachute red rockets are to be carried onboard. While the regulation does not specify exact bridge allocation, most safety equipment plans distribute at least:

Four to six parachute rockets

Four to six red hand flares

The rest are stored in the survival craft and other designated areas.

Inspection and Maintenance

Every officer must treat pyrotechnics like lifeboat equipment. Expired or damaged flares are a serious non-compliance. Here’s how to keep them in check:

• Monthly Checks

Ensure no item is expired

Check the integrity of the container – watertight, sealed, and secured

Verify legible markings, manufacturer details, and expiry dates

Cross-check with inventory list and safety manual

• Annual Inspections

Included in safety equipment annual service

Often checked during annual flag inspections and audits

• After Use

Any discharged item must be logged and replaced immediately

Master must be informed and requisition raised for replenishment

Always record expiry dates in the Safety Officer’s register and communicate at least six months before expiry during monthly meetings or drills.

Safety Precautions While Handling

Pyrotechnics are not toys. Improper handling can cause serious injury or fire. Officers must remember:

Do not expose to heat or sunlight

Never activate during drills unless authorised by shore authorities

Always point away from body and downwind while using

Use gloves and safety glasses where possible

Dispose of expired units through authorised disposal agents – never throw overboard or burn onboard

Logbook Entries and Documentation

Record inspection dates in the bridge checklist

Maintain a clear inventory with expiry dates

Note location of all flare boxes in the vessel’s Fire Control Plan

Update the Safety Management System manual as per any changes in storage or quantity

When to Use Bridge Pyrotechnics

Use only during genuine distress, when life is at risk, and when:

The vessel is sinking, on fire, or disabled

Communication systems have failed

Immediate assistance is required

To alert aircraft or nearby ships visually

Using pyrotechnics unnecessarily can attract fines or criminal penalties under international maritime law.

Final Words

Pyrotechnics may be stored quietly in a small box on the bridge, but their role in maritime safety is anything but small. Every officer must respect, understand, and regularly inspect them. Because when nothing else works, and all systems fail, these little tubes of light could be your last message to the world.

Keep them ready. Know how to use them. And never underestimate their power.