The original distress alert from a ship in distress should not be disrupted by other ships, by transmitting a DSC distress relay alert. |
A ship would transmit a distress relay call (distress relay alert) only in the event of followings: |
On receiving a distress alert on a HF channel, which is not acknowledged by a coast station within 5 minutes. The distress relay call should be addressed to the appropriate coast station. |
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On knowing that another ship in distress is not itself able to transmit the distress alert and the Master of the ship considers that further help is necessary. The distress relay call should be addressed to "all ships" or to the appropriate coast station. |
In no case is a ship permitted to transmit a DSC distress relay call on receipt of a DSC distress alert on either VHF or MF channels. |
Distress relay calls on HF channels should be initiated manually. |