Upon receiving a distress alert 30 miles off

Check distress position and own ship’s position.

If able to provide assistance without endangering own ship and crew:

On receipt of distress alert

	Listen on VHF CH-16 for 5 minutes.
	If RCC does not acknowledge, acknowledge alert by radiotelephony (CH16).
	Inform CS and/or RCC.
	Enter details in log.
	Reset system.

Establish plain language communication as soon as possible and obtain details of distressed vessel such as:

Provide the distressed vessel my following information:

	Identity
	Position
	Course
	Speed
	ETA at the scene
	Distressed vessel’s bearing and distance.

I will contact RCC / SMC via coast radio station.

I will take required onboard preparation for search and rescue.

If I cannot find any survivor after going to the scene, I will report to RCC and conduct a search.