Product awareness: Orange smoke hand distress signal
- Safety Flash
- Published on 30 June 2016
- Generated on 25 January 2026
- IMCA SF 17/16
- 1 minute read
The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has published a safety alert regarding the withdrawal of the Certificate of Approval for certain orange smoke hand distress signals.
This action has been taken because the chemical makeup of the signal was changed in October 2013 without Coast Guard approval, and the signal that was manufactured is at risk of spontaneous combustion when dropped.
These smoke signals may be labelled and marketed as ‘Polar MK 4’ by NAMMO LIAB AB or as ‘IKAROS’ by Hansson Pyrotech. ‘IKAROS’ Hansson Pyrotech is the more current manufacturing name/Datrex Inc., of Kinder, La., is the only distributor for these products in the United States. There are approximately 2790 such flares with this potential defect in circulation in the USA.
IMCA Safety Flashes summarise key safety matters and incidents, allowing lessons to be more easily learnt for the benefit of the entire offshore industry.
The effectiveness of the IMCA Safety Flash system depends on the industry sharing information and so avoiding repeat incidents. Incidents are classified according to IOGP's Life Saving Rules.
All information is anonymised or sanitised, as appropriate, and warnings for graphic content included where possible.
IMCA makes every effort to ensure both the accuracy and reliability of the information shared, but is not be liable for any guidance and/or recommendation and/or statement herein contained.
The information contained in this document does not fulfil or replace any individual's or Member's legal, regulatory or other duties or obligations in respect of their operations. Individuals and Members remain solely responsible for the safe, lawful and proper conduct of their operations.
Share your safety incidents with IMCA online. Sign-up to receive Safety Flashes straight to your email.