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Distress Flags & Signal Flags for Boats

(159 products)

PartsVu is thrilled to offer a wide selection of distress flags for boats and signal flags for boats to keep you well-prepared in case of an emergency when out on the water. Shop distress and signal flags from top boating safety product suppliers, like Taylor, Orion, Seachoice, Kwik Tek, and others.

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  • Sea-Dog Line - Adjustable Rail Mount Flagpole Injection Molded Nylon / Stainless - 3271241

    SEA-DOG LINE

    Sea-Dog Line - Adjustable Rail Mount Flagpole Injection Molded Nylon / Stainless - 3271241

    $36.93 $40.75
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  • Sea-Dog Line - Adjustable Rail Mount Flagpole Injection Molded Nylon / Stainless - 3271221

    SEA-DOG LINE

    Sea-Dog Line - Adjustable Rail Mount Flagpole Injection Molded Nylon / Stainless - 3271221

    $29.05 $32.75
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  • Sea-Dog Line - Pulpit Flag Pole - 3281151

    SEA-DOG LINE

    Sea-Dog Line - Pulpit Flag Pole - 3281151

    $12.02 $13.25
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  • Sea-Dog Stainless Steel Eye Mount Flagpole Pennant Clips - Set of 4 - 328196-1

    SEA-DOG LINE

    Sea-Dog Stainless Steel Eye Mount Flagpole Pennant Clips - Set of 4 - 328196-1

    $8.48 $8.50
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  • Sea-Dog Nylon Flagpole Pennant Mounts & Stainless Clips - Pair - 328197-1

    SEA-DOG LINE

    Sea-Dog Nylon Flagpole Pennant Mounts & Stainless Clips - Pair - 328197-1

    $11.50
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  • ACR HydroFix&#153 Hydrostatic Release Unit f/Category I EPIRB - 9490.1

    ACR Electronics

    ACR HydroFix&#153 Hydrostatic Release Unit f/Category I EPIRB - 9490.1

    $162.05 $165.00
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  • Sea-Dog Line - Flush Mount 25 Degree Flag Pole Socket #12 Fastener Investment Cast 316 Stainless - 4917131

    SEA-DOG LINE

    Sea-Dog Line - Flush Mount 25 Degree Flag Pole Socket #12 Fastener Investment Cast 316 Stainless - 4917131

    $33.78 $37.25
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  • Whitecap Flush Mount Flag Pole Socket - Stainless Steel - 1-1/4" ID - 6170

    Whitecap

    Whitecap Flush Mount Flag Pole Socket - Stainless Steel - 1-1/4" ID - 6170

    $47.67 $53.99
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  • Mate Series Flag Pole - 72" - FP72

    Mate Series

    Mate Series Flag Pole - 72" - FP72

    $75.59
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  • Mate Series Flag Pole - 72" w/USA Flag - FP72USA

    Mate Series

    Mate Series Flag Pole - 72" w/USA Flag - FP72USA

    $80.31
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  • Mate Series Flag Pole - 36" w/USA Flag - FP36USA

    Mate Series

    Mate Series Flag Pole - 36" w/USA Flag - FP36USA

    $75.59
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  • Mate Series Flag Pole - 36" - FP36

    Mate Series

    Mate Series Flag Pole - 36" - FP36

    $70.86
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  • Mate Series Flag Pole - 36" w/Dive Flag - FP36DIVE

    Mate Series

    Mate Series Flag Pole - 36" w/Dive Flag - FP36DIVE

    $75.59
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  • Whitecap 17" Rail Mount Flag Pole - 1/2" Diameter, Stainless Steel Staff Nylon Mount - S-5010

    Whitecap

    Whitecap 17" Rail Mount Flag Pole - 1/2" Diameter, Stainless Steel Staff Nylon Mount - S-5010

    $36.12 $43.49
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  • Forespar Railfast 324 Flag Pole Holder - 1" Base - 156006

    Forespar Performance Products

    Forespar Railfast 324 Flag Pole Holder - 1" Base - 156006

    $68.95 $79.45
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  • Sea Choice - 3' x 3' Orange Distress Signal SOS Flag - 78341

    SEACHOICE

    Sea Choice - 3' x 3' Orange Distress Signal SOS Flag - 78341

    $12.95 $13.99
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  • Taylor Made - Teak Flag Pole - 3/4" x 18" - 60749

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Teak Flag Pole - 3/4" x 18" - 60749

    $27.35 $30.95
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  • Taylor Made - Teak Flag Pole - 1" x 30" - 60752

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Teak Flag Pole - 1" x 30" - 60752

    $41.07
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  • Taylor Made Teak Flag Pole 1-1/4" x 36" - 60754

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made Teak Flag Pole 1-1/4" x 36" - 60754

    $45.23 $48.95
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  • Taylor Made - Teak Flag Pole - 1" x 24" - 60750

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Teak Flag Pole - 1" x 24" - 60750

    $30.98 $34.95
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  • Taylor Made - Skipper Flag Clips w/SS Screw Eyes - 4 pack - 57933

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Skipper Flag Clips w/SS Screw Eyes - 4 pack - 57933

    $20.00 $20.95
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  • Taylor Made Pontoon 24" Flag Pole Mount & 12" x 18" US Flag - 921

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made Pontoon 24" Flag Pole Mount & 12" x 18" US Flag - 921

    $74.54
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  • Taylor Made - Pontoon 30" Flag Pole Mount & 16" x 24" US Flag - 922

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Pontoon 30" Flag Pole Mount & 16" x 24" US Flag - 922

    $93.74
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  • Taylor Made - Charlevoix Flag Clip - One-Piece Fits 3/4" Pole - 57926

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Charlevoix Flag Clip - One-Piece Fits 3/4" Pole - 57926

    $13.33 $15.95
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  • Taylor Made - Charlevoix Flag Clip For 7/8" - 1" Pole - 57928

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Charlevoix Flag Clip For 7/8" - 1" Pole - 57928

    $13.33 $15.95
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  • Taylor Made - Deluxe Sewn US Yacht Ensign Flag - 16 inch x 24 inch - 8124

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Deluxe Sewn US Yacht Ensign Flag - 16 inch x 24 inch - 8124

    $36.66
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  • Taylor Made - Deluxe Sewn American Flag - 16" x 24" - 8424

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Deluxe Sewn American Flag - 16" x 24" - 8424

    $31.52
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  • Taylor Made - Sailfish Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 2818

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Sailfish Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 2818

    $18.60 $19.95
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  • Taylor Made - Tuna Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 3118

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Tuna Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 3118

    $18.60 $19.95
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  • Taylor Made - Deluxe Sewn US Yacht Ensign Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 8118

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Deluxe Sewn US Yacht Ensign Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 8118

    $23.21 $25.95
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  • Taylor Made - Shark Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 3218

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Shark Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 3218

    $18.60 $19.95
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  • Taylor Made - Swordfish Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 4418

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Swordfish Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 4418

    $18.60 $19.95
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  • Taylor Made - Wahoo Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 4118

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Wahoo Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 4118

    $19.14 $19.95
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  • Taylor Made - Dolphin Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 4218

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Dolphin Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 4218

    $18.60 $19.95
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  • Taylor Made - Deluxe Sewn American Flag - 12" x 18" - 8418

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - Deluxe Sewn American Flag - 12" x 18" - 8418

    $27.35 $27.95
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  • Taylor Made - White Marlin Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 3018

    Taylor Made

    Taylor Made - White Marlin Flag - 12 inch x 18 inch - 3018

    $18.60 $19.95
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Distress Flags for Boats and Signal Flags for Boats Resources and Information

Put safety where it belongs – at the front and center. PartsVu carries a large selection of distress flags and signal flags from leading manufacturers like Taylor, Orion, Seachoice, Kwik Tek, and others. PartsVu is dedicated to helping you to find the right products for your needs, every time – fast shipping and great prices

Looking for more boating and marine products? Check out our complete selection of Products and Accessories or shop our broader categories of Boating Accessories and Boating Safety Equipment and Boat Safety Equipment, Lifejackets, & Personal Floatation Devices

Distress Flags and Signal Flags FAQs

What are the US Coastguard guidelines concerning life jackets?

While you must refer to the boating regulations within your state, minimum U.S. federal law requires a life jacket to be carried for each person on board. In states where no children’s life jacket law is in place, a U.S. Coast Guard interim rule requires children under 13 on moving boats to wear a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket that fits. Personal flotation device (PDF) guidelines are provided by the U.S. Coast Guard:

  • Type I PFDs/Offshore Life Jackets – Best for all waters including open ocean, rough seas, or remote water, where rescue may be slow.
  • Type II PDFs/Near-Shore Buoyant Vests – For general boating activities and good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue.
  • Type III PFDs/Flotation Aids – For general boating or the specialized activity that is marked on the device such as water skiing, hunting, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and others. Good for calm, inland waters, or where there is a good chance for fast rescue. These PDFs are designed to complement the given watersport.

PartsVu offers a wide range of life jackets. See the links below for our most recommended or click here to view our complete selection.

Why should I get a marine first aid kit

Smart boating involves being prepared to address injuries or even medical emergencies out on the water. The type of first aid or medical kit needed depends on the type of boating being pursued. For example, near-shore boating in frequently traveled areas likely requires only a fairly basic first aid kit to treat minor cuts, insect stings, sunburns, and other similar injuries. However, offshore boating requires being prepared for true medical emergencies where help could be a few hours away and lives could be at stake.

PartsVu recommends the following medical kits:

  • Orion Safety Products Daytripper First Aid Kit – Great for day trips
  • Orion Safety Products Coastal First Aid Kit – Perfect for inshore and near-shore fisherman
  • Orion Safety Products Bluewater First Aid Kit – Ideal for coastal cruisers & offshore fisherman

What are some of the most popular boating safety equipment

Type I, offshore life jackets provide the most buoyancy and are specifically designed for rough, open waters, where rescue might be delayed. They are also designed to turn an unconscious person face-up in the water.

Given that man-overboard situations can be sudden and deadly when boating offshore, automatically inflating PFDs are a must. Automatic inflation relies mostly on a dissolvable bobbin with a spring/pin arrangement. The water dissolves the bobbin, and the spring-powered pin punches the CO2 canister for inflation. Because the spring/pin arrangement can fail, every automatically inflating PFD has a manual cord and oral inflation tube. Many PFDs designed for offshore boating include pockets for PLBs and strobe lights.

A ditch bag must contain the items needed to call for help and to survive in a life raft while waiting for rescue. A ditch bag must be kept in an accessible location on board, ready for immediate removal should the need arise.

We recommend against trying to adapt a duffel bag or using a dry bag. Rather, we advise using bags specifically designed for abandon-ship/survival situations. What features should your ditch bag have? Floatation, water-resistance, bright colors for visibility, carrying straps, and tethers for sure. Additionally, we suggest looking for a bag with well-designed dividers so you can organize your gear. Finally, the bag must be large enough to contain survival gear plus food and water for you and all others on board.

A life raft is designed to keep the passengers of a sunk, capsized, or burned boat alive until they can be rescued. Although every offshore boater hopes to never need their life raft, it is the most important piece of equipment aboard. Life rafts leave the passengers aboard with little protection from the elements but are designed for visibility to aid with rescue efforts. Although much-needed safety devices, they should only be used as a last resort. Whenever possible, it is safer to stay aboard your main vessel even if it is damaged.

What are the US Coast Guard’s Requirements for my boat’s fire extinguisher? 

Fire extinguisher requirements will depend on the age of the vessel, its size, and whether or not a fire extinguishing system is in place.

For Boats 2018 & Newer:

For powerboats less than 26′, you need a minimum of one 5-B or 20-B rated fire extinguisher that are date stamped. Vessels between 26′ – 40′ require two of these. This applies to boats without an existing fire extinguishing system.

If your boat has a fire extinguishing system built-in, you may reduce the requirement by one unit. So, in this case, a powerboat with a fire extinguishing system that measures less than 26′ would need no additional fire extinguishers, while boats measuring 26′ – 40′ would require only one.

For Boats Made between 1953 – 2017:

For powerboats less than 26′, you need at least one B-1 fire extinguisher (a 5-pound fire extinguisher) on board. Boats 26′ – 40′ must carry a minimum of two B-1 fire extinguishers. Fire extinguishers have expiration dates, so boaters need to be mindful of that. This rule applies to boats without an existing fire extinguishing system.

If your boat has a fire extinguishing system built-in, you may again reduce the requirement by one unit. So, in this case, a powerboat with a fire extinguishing system that measures less than 26′ would need no additional fire extinguishers, while boats measuring 26′ – 40′ would require only one.

Why should boaters follow safety regulations?

Boating on various waterways is similar to automobiles out on the roads and highways—safety devices are designed to keep people safe. Thousands of accidents occur, many of which have a high probability of injury and a substantial number of cases resulting in death.

Specifically, in 2020 the Coast Guard counted 5,265 recreational boating accidents resulting in 767 deaths, 3,191 injuries, and approximately $62.5 million of property damage. Where the cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.

Since most accidents occur unexpectedly, there may not be sufficient time to put on a life jacket, especially when stowed away in a locker. In cases where a person is thrown overboard, it is harder than you think to get them back on board, which can be assisted with proper equipment. Always be sure personal floatation devices (PFDs) are in good and serviceable condition. For extra protection, equip your PFDs with a whistle and emergency light.