How long will a marine distress parachute flare burn?

• A. 10-20 seconds
• B. 30-40 seconds
• C. 60-90 seconds
• D. 2-3 minutes

Answer: (B)

Signal duration for a marine distress parachute flare is about how long the flare stays burning and visible after launch. These flares are designed with a fuel load and parachute height that give a strong, eye-catching light for a practical window of time, long enough for rescuers to spot you from a distance but not so long that it becomes a safety or logistical issue.

Around 30 to 40 seconds is the typical burn time. That span provides a bright, sustained beacon high in the sky, which is crucial for being seen at sea, especially at night or in poor visibility. If the flare burned only 10–20 seconds, it might be too brief for rescuers to notice or to confirm your location. If it burned much longer, like 60–90 seconds or several minutes, it would require more fuel and could pose additional risk without significantly increasing effectiveness, since visibility gains beyond that window are limited once rescuers locate you.

So the commonly expected duration aligns with a thirty-to-forty-second burn, making it the best fit among the options.