Abstract
THE Ministry of Shipping has given its approval to the ‘Raft-o-Lite’ safety flashing light of the International Marine Radio Co., Ltd., 63 Aldwych, W.C.2. It comprises a battery and light in a watertight case, provided with a float so that it will assume a vertical position when floating in the sea. A flasher is incorporated with it and this is designed to emit automatically the international distress signal ‘S.O.S.’. When stored in an inverted or horizontal position the light is not in use, but when thrown into the water it assumes a vertical position and the flashing light is automatically switched on, continuing for forty-eight hours at least. The manufacturers point out that these lights are particularly suitable for oil-burning ships and tankers, where oil on the water may render dangerous the use of open flares.
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An Automatic Distress Signal. Nature 146, 22 (1940). https://doi.org/10.1038/146022b0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/146022b0