What color must distress flares be?

Distress flares must be red in color because red is universally recognized as a signal for emergency situations at sea. The bright red color stands out against the backdrop of the ocean and the sky, ensuring maximum visibility to rescuers or other vessels. The use of red flares is part of international maritime safety standards, helping to communicate distress effectively to others in the vicinity. Red flares indicate an urgent need for assistance, and this standardization helps prevent confusion in emergency scenarios.

Other colors, such as blue or green, are not universally associated with distress signals, thus failing to convey an urgent need for help. Yellow is often used for signaling but does not denote a state of emergency in maritime contexts. This is why red is specifically chosen as the color for distress flares.