LED Flares and USCG Regulations - Everything You Need to Know

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LED Based Flares are Becoming the New Standard for the US Coast Guard in April 2026 - Here’s What It Means for You

In 2025, the Coast Guard formally announced it will retire pyrotechnic MK 124 flares on its vessels by April 1, 2026 in favor of Coast Guard–approved electronic visual distress signaling devices.

This marks a major shift: the Coast Guard itself now will rely on electronic distress devices as a primary handheld night signaling system, and so should you.

The Flare

When most boaters think of distress signals, they picture a handheld burning flare: bright red, hissing, burning hot, and throwing out lots of smoke into the sky. Pyrotechnic flares are dramatic and unforgettable, ingrained in our collective consciousness as the classic cry for help. And it makes for good movie scenes where the good guy finally wins by jamming a flare down the bad guy’s throat.

How Pyrotechnic Ones Work

Ignition begins when you strike, twist, or pull a trigger on the flare. This sets off a small ignition source (similar to a match head or primer) which lights a fuse or pyrotechnic compound.

Combustion:
The burning fuse ignites a chemical mixture, usually including:

• Magnesium or strontium nitrate – for intense heat and bright light
• Perchlorates or nitrates – oxidizers that sustain the reaction
• Colorants – to give the flare its signature red or orange glow

It is important to note that most rescues at sea don’t start because someone spotted a flare—they start with a distress call over the radio or via satellite. Flares are crucial, but their primary purpose is often to confirm your location once help is en route.

Electronic LED Flares (eVDSDs)

As an acronym, LED flares are known as eVDSDs, short for electronic Visual Distress Signaling Devices.

An eVDSD is a battery-powered device used to signal for help in emergencies on the water. Instead of producing smoke and fire like a traditional flare, it uses ultra-bright LED lights to send a flashing signal visible for miles.

Most models are shaped like a flashlight or compact lantern and are built to float upright in the water. They’re designed to mimic the U.S. Coast Guard recognized and International Morse Code distress signal flash pattern of S-O-S:  3 short - 3 long - 3 short.

Some models even include infrared light, making them visible through night vision goggles. They last much longer than pyrotechnic handheld flares and can be seen from greater distances.

A Handheld LED Flare

Pyrotechnic Flares and Expiration

Most boaters keep pyrotechnic flares onboard but have never actually used one. And it’s safe to assume many have stashed them somewhere and forgotten about them (long expired without realizing it).

What many don’t know is that carrying expired flares can get you fined. And using them is no better. In one case, a group of Rhode Island sailors fired off expired flares during a celebration and ended up with a $10,000 fine in federal court. Fair enough, everyone knows not to set off flares when there is no emergency.

Keeping expired flares as backups might seem like a good idea, but it’s not. As flares age, they can become unstable and unpredictable. You’re better off not taking that risk. And besides, what if your backup doesn’t work - that's not much of a backup.
They’re explosive, and disposing of them is a hassle. After their typical 3–4-year lifespan, you can’t just throw them in the trash, and it’s illegal to dump them at sea. Most disposal depots charge a fee, if you can even find one.

Still, many boaters see the Electric Flare as inferior. “They’re not as dramatic and therefore not as effective” some might say. True on the not as dramatic but the not as effective part of that statement is untrue, however. Rather LED flares are MORE effective because of the length of time they can stay on. In a real emergency, when your life depends on being seen and emergency services being led to your exact location, do you really want a signal that burns out after a few minutes? That is the exact thinking of the Coast Guard and the reason for the change.

So Why Use eVDSDs?

There is an overwhelming amount of benefits to owning an electronic flare vs a classic flare.

• Safety: Pyrotechnic flares burn at extremely high temperatures and can be dangerous to handle, especially on a rocking boat. Once ignited, they can’t be turned off, and accidental misuse can cause burns or fires. eVDSD’s, by contrast, pose no fire risk and are safe for all ages to operate.
• Longer Lasting: A traditional flare burns for just a short while, typically an average of approximately three minutes. An electronic flare can flash continuously for hours on a single set of batteries, increasing the chances of being seen during a rescue effort.
• Reusable: Pyrotechnic flares have a shelf life of about 3 to 4 years, after which they expire. In contrast, electronic flares don’t expire in the same way. As long as they’re well-maintained and powered with fresh batteries, they’re ready when needed.
• Ease of Use: There are many boaters who have never used a pyrotechnic flare and as a result, likely wouldn't know how to correctly use one in an emergency situation. On the other hand, electronic flares are extremely simple to use for both adults and children. Turning on an electronic flare is very similar to simply turning on a flashlight.  
• More Environmentally Friendly: Pyrotechnic flares contain chemicals and produce smoke and residue that can harm marine environments. Electronic flares are a cleaner, more sustainable option.
• Easy Storage and Disposal: Electronic flares can be stored with other safety gear so they are accessible to the entire crew. There is no need to worry about children having access to them, as there is no open flame when they are activated, unlike the case with pyrotechnic flares. Electronic flares also don’t require special handling when they reach the end of their useful life. In contrast, pyrotechnic flares must be properly disposed of, and disposing of them isn’t always easy as many cities and towns won't allow for them to be disposed of with regular waste. Instead, in many cases, they can only be disposed of at predefined drop-off sites.
• Regular Testing: eVDSDs are easy to test: turn it on - turn it off. You can’t test a pyrotechnic flare.
• Messaging: eVDSDs can broadcast SOS as part of its light, not so for pyrotechnic flares
• Infrared: During low night visibility and even daytime, an infrared signal can be seen by emergency services employing IR detection devices.

Electronic Flares (eVDSDs) vs Traditional Flares Comparison Table

Are They Legal to Carry in Place of Traditional Flares?

YES. Even now, the US Coast Guard allows that a certified eVDSD can be carried in place of pyrotechnic flares. However, eVDSDs are only certified as night distress signals. If pyrotechnic flares are not carried onboard, then another form of daytime visual distress signal must be carried. The common daytime visual distress signal is an orange flag with a black square above a black circle. These are included when you purchase a eVDSD. 

Vessels less than 16’ are not required to carry a Day Visual Distress Signal but must still carry a Night Visual Distress Signal. A simple flashlight does NOT count.

Are LED Flares Just Flashlights?

Certified electronic flares (eVDSDs) are much more than flashlights. The ResQFlare and ResQFlare PRO meet stringent and extensive test requirements in order to be certified as meeting the applicable U.S. Coast Guard requirements that allow them to be carried in lieu of traditional pyrotechnics onboard recreational vessels

Is it smart to carry both electronic and pyrotechnic flares?

Given that electronic flares are significantly safer to activate, have an active lighted time that is hours longer than traditional pyrotechnic flares, it is easily justifiable to carry an electronic flare in lieu of pyrotechnic flares. While pyrotechnic flares have a longer visible range when including rocket launch flares this point is almost made moot(ish) because of the Radio wave and GPS age we live in. EPIRBS and DSC/VHF will report your position to the services, while flares will guide those services and local traffic to your exact actual location.

Initial investment vs. cost of replacing expired pyrotechnic flares every few years

In terms of pyrotechnic flares, U.S. Coast Guard regulations require 3 approved nighttime flares on most recreational vessels. A 3-pack of these pyrotechnic flares costs roughly $40 (every 3 years due to expiry), then factoring in disposal and time for that. In contrast, a ResQFlare costs $79.95 or the ResQFlare PRO costs $199.95 with no expiry date.  

Are they Readily Available?

Yes you can buy them online. One certified eVDSD manufacturing company is ACR (they also make EPIRBS). They have 2 versions: the ResQFlare and the RESQFlare PRO

While the Coast Guard is making their official change to electronic flares on April 2026, there is nothing stopping you to do so now. Electronic LED flares (eVDSDs) represent a modern, safer, and more environmentally friendly evolution in marine safety gear. Whether you're cruising offshore, fishing near the coast, or paddling a kayak on open water, they’re an excellent option for signaling distress. By making the switch to an electronic flare, you’re not just keeping yourself legal, you’re making a smart investment.

Meet the Author: Grant Headifen, Global Director of Education at NauticEd

My mission for NauticEd is to provide the highest quality boating education available - and deliver competence wherever sailors live and go. 

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