Knowledge base

RTCM 13200.0 defines how an Electronic Visual Distress Signal Device (EVDS) should perform. It gives manufacturers, authorities, and users a consistent benchmark for safety, visibility, and reliability.

What the Standard Covers

RTCM 13200.0 sets minimum requirements in several key areas:

• Light output: how bright the signal must be, and how evenly the light is distributed.
• Colour: what colour range the light should emit for clear recognition.
• Signal pattern: an exact SOS flash sequence, consistent throughout operation.
• Operating time: minimum duration to ensure sustained visibility.
• Construction: resistance to water, vibration, and corrosion.
• Instructions and marking: clear labelling, serial numbers, and user guidance.

Why It Was Created

Before RTCM 13200.0, performance expectations for electronic distress lights varied widely. The standard provides a single, testable framework ensuring users can trust performance claims and compare devices confidently across manufacturers.

Dual-Colour Lighting: Red/Orange and Cyan

RTCM 13200.0 mandates a dual-colour SOS pattern alternating between Red/Orange and Cyan. These wavelengths are chosen for maximum visibility: Red/Orange light maintains brightness through haze and rain, while Cyan provides strong contrast against sea and sky. Their spectral separation enhances recognition by both human vision and search-and-rescue sensors, ensuring the signal remains highly conspicuous in all weather and light conditions without conflicting with standard navigation light colours.

Benefits of Compliance

• Consistency: all compliant devices perform to the same verified baseline.
• Safety assurance: tested for luminous intensity, SOS pattern accuracy, and environmental endurance.
• Procurement clarity: distributors and operators can quickly verify compliance documentation.
• Global alignment: supports recognition in regions referencing U.S. 46 CFR 161.013 and similar international standards.

How Testing Works

• Testing verifies that the EVDS meets every defined performance criterion.
• Photometric measurements confirm luminous intensity, beam uniformity, and colour chromaticity.
• Environmental tests confirm reliability after exposure to vibration, saltwater immersion, temperature extremes, and shock.
• Pattern testing ensures the SOS sequence remains accurate across the full rated battery life.

Why It Matters to Users

A compliant EVDS provides measurable, repeatable performance you can rely on. It ensures visibility within defined parameters and supports predictable operation when it matters most.

When reviewing a product, check:

• The manufacturer’s statement of conformance to RTCM 13200.0.
• Verified photometric test data and operational runtime results.
• Battery type, replacement interval, and environmental operating limits.
• Correct labelling, serial number, and clear operating instructions.

In summary: RTCM 13200.0 provides the global benchmark that transforms electronic distress lights from useful accessories into verified life-saving tools. By meeting its requirements, compliant EVDS devices give mariners, aviators, and rescuers a trusted signal standardised for recognition, endurance, and visibility, when every second counts.