1 DISTRESS
1.1 Transmission of DSC Distress Alert
The DSC distress alert is transmitted as follows:
tune the transmitter to the DSC distress channel (2187.5 kHz on MF, Channel 70 on VHF).
if time permits, key in or select on the DSC equipment keyboard:
- the nature of distress,
- the ship’s last known position (latitude and longitude),
- the time (in UTC) the position was valid \,
- type of subsequent distress communication (telephony),
in accordance with the DSC equipment manufacturer’s instructions;
transmit the DCS distress alert.
prepare for the subsequent distress traffic by tuning the transmitter and the radiotelephony receiver to the
distress traffic channel in the same band, ie. 2182 kHz on MF, Channel 16 on VHF, while waiting for the
DSC distress acknowledgement.
1.2 Actions on receipt of Distress Alert
A ship receiving a DSC distress alert from another ship shall:
watch for the reception of a distress acknowledgement on the distress channel (2187.5 kHz on MF, Channel
70 on VHF);
prepare for receiving the subsequent distress communication by tuning the radiotelephony receiver to the
distress traffic frequency in the same band in which the DSC distress alert was received, ie. 2182 kHz on MF,
channel 16 on VHF;
acknowledge the receipt of the distress alert by transmitting the following by radiotelephony on the distress
traffic frequency in the same band in which the DSC distress alert was received, ie. 2182 kHz on MF, Channel
16 on VHF;
- “MAYDAY”,
- the 9-digit identity of the ship in distress, repeated 3 times,
- “this is”,
- the 9-digit identity or the call sign or other identification of own ship, repeated 3 times,
- “RECEIVED MAYDAY”.
1.3 Distress traffic
On receipt of a DSC distress acknowledgement the ship in distress should commence the distress traffic by
radiotelephony on the distress traffic frequency (2182 kHz on MF, Channel 16 on VHF) as follows:
- “MAYDAY”,
- “this is”,
- the 9-digits identity and the call sign or other identification of the ship,
- the ships position in latitude and longitude or other reference to known geographical location,
- the nature of distress and assistance wanted,
- any other information which might facilitate the rescue.
1.4 Transmission of a DSC Distress relay call
In no case is a ship permitted to transmit an all ships DSC distress relay call on receipt of a DSC distress alert
either VHF or MF channels. If no aural watch is present on the relative channel (2182 kHz on MF, Channel 16 on
VHF), the coast station should be contacted by sending an individual DSC distress relay call.
1.4.1 Transmission of a DSC distress relay call on behalf of someone else
A ship knowing that another ship is in distress shall transmit a DSC distress relay call if:
the ship in distress is not itself able to transmit the distress alert,
the master of the ship considers that further help is necessary.
The DSC distress relay call is transmitted as follows:
Tune the transmitter to the DSC distress channel (2187.5 kHz on MF, Channel 70 on VHF),
Select the distress relay call format on the DSC equipment,
Key in or select on the DSC equipment keyboard:
- All Ships Call (VHF). Geographical Area Call (MF/HF) or the 90digit identity of the appropriate coast
station,
- the 9-digit identity, of the ship in distress, if known,
- the nature of distress,
- the latest position of the ship in distress, if known,
- the time (in UTC) the position was valid (if known),
- type of subsequent distress communication (telephony);
transmit the DSC distress relay call;
prepare for the subsequent distress traffic by tuning the transmitter and the radiotelephony receiver to the
distress traffic channel in the same band, ie. 2182 kHz on MF and Channel 16 on VHF, while waiting for the
DSC distress acknowledgement.
1.5 Acknowledgement of a DSC distress relay call received from a Coast Station
Acknowledgement the receipt of the distress relay call by transmitting the following by radiotelephony on the
distress traffic frequency in the same band in which the DSC distress relay call was received:
- “MAYDAY RELAY”,
- the 9-digit identity or the call sign or other identification of the calling coast station,
- “this is”,
- the 9-digit identity or call sign or other identification of own ship,
- “RECEIVED MAYDAY RELAY”.
1.6 Acknowledgement of a DSC distress relay call received from another Ship
Ships receiving a distress relay call from another ship shall follow the same procedure as for acknowledgement of
a distress alert, ie. the procedure given in section 1.2 above.
1.7 Cancellation of an inadvertent Distress Alert
A station transmitting an inadvertent distress alert shall cancel the distress alert using the following procedure:
1.7.1 Immediately cancel the distress alert aurally over the telephony distress traffic channel associated with each
DSC channel on which the “distress alert” was transmitted.
1.7.2 Monitor the telephony distress traffic channel associated with the DSC channel on which the distress was
transmitted, and respond to any communications concerning that distress call appropriate.
