Those are Xenon strobes which require a capacitor to charge up between flashes to get the really bright output. The brighter the strobe, the longer interval between flashes which can work against you, especially on the water.

In testing some really high power xenon strobes, we found the flash rate to be slow enough that at distance it looked like any other deck light on a bobbing boat. That was pretty much the case with the typical 50-70 flash per minute strobe rate. This is especially acute when using night vision goggles because every bobbing boat, buoy, etc. looks like a strobe flashing.

That is one reason the Navy is looking at a strobe rate at about 120 flashes per minute because it's more distinctive in a marine environment. We have had some success with the conspicuity of high power LEDs opposed to the classic xenon strobes. The power management of the LEDs is much better too.

Unfortunately, the best performer is not on the market... yet. But I imagine eventually it will be.

A really good off-the-shelf LED strobe is the VIP Survivor by Adventure Light. It's very conspicuous, has a steady on, steady strobe, and SOS strobe settings.

It's not cheap though. They go for about $180 retail.

Tom