Final answer:
In Pennsylvania, visual distress signals are required on Coastal Waters or the High Seas when operating a vessel beyond a harbor of safe refuge, according to U.S. Coast Guard regulations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question relates to boating regulations in Pennsylvania, specifically concerning the requirements for having a visual distress signal onboard. In Pennsylvania, if you are operating a vessel on Coastal Waters or the High Seas beyond the boundaries of a harbor of safe refuge, visual distress signals are required. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) requires all boats used on coastal waters, which includes the territorial seas and those directly connected to the Great Lakes, to be equipped with U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals. Boats owned in Pennsylvania and operating on these waters must adhere to this requirement, which is designed for the safety of the vessel and its occupants.