White flares are not distress flares they can be used for the following  

–  indicate your presence to a ship if there is a risk of collision. 

–  illumination at night in the case of a man over board but they destroy your night vision.

On my boats when going offshore I keep one flare velcroed to the handholds either side of the companionway so that if I need one quickly I just have to reach inside the companionway.