Rescue me.

[Sonar]

There are a number of members on the forum that are involved in rescue services.

When trying to find a rib at sea what colour would the best colour to be seen.

On a clear day choppy seas.

Orange or another colour?

[willk]

You'd be surprised at how well black shows up. I'd guess that yellow isn't so easy to see.

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by willk

You'd be surprised at how well black shows up. I'd guess that yellow isn't so easy to see.

Yes that was a colour i never expected.

[willk]

Originally Posted by Sonar

Yes that was a colour i never expected.

Yes, odd, but nonetheless favoured by pot haulers and techie divers for marker buoys. Yellow is crap, IMHO. Obviously black is useless at night/dusk. I had to do an "MOB" on a black beanie just last week - it stood out well at 100m.

[chewy]

Orange is pretty good but even then some oranges can be dull.
I've painted the gearbox on my outboard dayglo orange and put relective tape on the bow in case I go upside down.
A couple of orange smokes is your best bet.

[Sonar]

Originally Posted by chewy

Orange is pretty good but even then some oranges can be dull.
I've painted the gearbox on my outboard dayglo orange and put relective tape on the bow in case I go upside down.
A couple of orange smokes is your best bet.

reflective tape The R.N.L.I. have reflective tape on the highest parts of the hull 3 or 4 small strips..
Is this for a safety reason if the rib was upside down ?

[chewy]

Originally Posted by Sonar

reflective tape The R.N.L.I. have reflective tape on the highest parts of the hull 3 or 4 small strips..
Is this for a safety reason if the rib was upside down ?

If the boat is upside down the tape makes it alot easier to see. It suprising how well the tape pics light up.

[m chappelow]

there have been thoughts in the future about changing the rnli boats from orange to yellow as with certain conditions yellow is the better colour,,dont forget rnli crew suits are yellow or musto gold ,,could be why cardinal bouys are yellow too and the vast majority of gas lifejackets when they are inflated .,,,,,,yes and even the smallest rnli inflatable boats have reflective tape on the underside ,,

[havener]

The best colours for seeing are contrasting - e.g. yellow and black (think of wasps). It also depends on your vantage point, and the area concerned - the north sea is pretty much grey, so orange works well especially from helicopters. There is a simple reason offshore helos have white and red banding on the underside - it's easier to spot when upside down!

Yellow on its own is pretty useless, international orange is about the best.

[Polwart]

Originally Posted by havener

The best colours for seeing are contrasting - e.g. yellow and black (think of wasps). It also depends on your vantage point, and the area concerned - the north sea is pretty much grey, so orange works well especially from helicopters. There is a simple reason offshore helos have white and red banding on the underside - it's easier to spot when upside down!

Yellow on its own is pretty useless, international orange is about the best.

So why are RAF Seakings Yellow?