Survey of Visual Signalling Devices and Development of a Testing Program.

摘要

This report documents a literature search to determine that information which is available, and to identify additional information required to establish baseline carriage requirements for distress signals by the recreational boater. The literature search covers desired ranges, visibility conditions and operational, reliability, and safety requirements from the standpoint of the recreational boater. It also considers the visual search parameters associated with SAR operations. Visual signal device characteristics and capabilities are then documented for typical pyrotechnics, lights, and passive devices such as mirrors and flags. Typical field test results are also presented for these devices. A qualitative evaluation is made of the information uncovered by the search, defining information gaps to be filled, and a test program supported by additional literature search to fill these information gaps is then outlined. (Author)