Morse Code, either of two systems for representing letters of the alphabet, numerals, and

punctuation marks by an arrangement of dots, dashes, and spaces. The codes are transmitted (l) a distress alert by means of digital selective calling (DSC) transmitted on:
as electrical pulses of varied lengths or analogous mechanical or visual signals, such as
flashing lights. One of the systems was invented in the United States by American artist and (i) VHF channel 70, or
inventor Samuel F.B. Morse during the 1830s for electrical telegraphy. This version was further
improved by American scientist and businessman Alfred Lewis Vail, Morse’s assistant and (ii) MF/HF on the frequencies 2187.5 kHz, 8414.5 kHz, 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz or
partner. Soon after its introduction in Europe, it became apparent that the original Morse Code 16804.5 kHz;
was inadequate for the transmission of much non-English text, since it lacked codes for letters
with diacritic marks. To remedy this deficiency, a variant called the International Morse Code (m) a ship-to-shore distress alert transmitted by the ship's Inmarsat or other mobile satellite
was devised by a conference of European nations in 1851. This newer code is also called service provider ship earth station;
Continental Morse Code.
(n) signals transmitted by emergency position-indicating radio beacons;
There are rules to help people distinguish dots from dashes in Morse code.
The length of a dot is 1 time unit. (o) approved signals transmitted by radiocommunications systems, including survival craft radar
A dash is 3 time units. transponders.
The space between symbols (dots and dashes) of the same letter is 1 time unit.
The space between letters is 3 time units.
The space between words is 7 time units. International Code of Signals

The following signals, used or exhibited either together or separately, indicate distress and need This book lists the signals to be employed by vessels at sea to communicate a variety of
of assistance: information relating to safety, distress, medical, and operational information. This publication
(a) a gun or other explosive signals fired at intervals of about a minute; became effective in 1969. According to this code, each signal has a unique and complete
meaning. The signals can be transmitted via Morse light and sound, flag, radio-telegraphy and
(b) a continuous sounding with any fog-signalling apparatus; -telephony, and semaphore. Since these methods of signaling are internationally recognized,
differences in language between sender and receiver are immaterial; the message will be
(c) rockets or shells, throwing red stars fired one at a time at short intervals; understood when decoded in the language of the receiver, regardless of the language of the
sender.
(d) a signal made by any signalling method consisting of the group ... --- ... (SOS) in the Morse
Code; The purpose of the International Code of Signals is to provide ways and means of
communication in situations related essentially to safety of navigation and persons, especially
(e) a signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word "MAYDAY"; when language difficulties arise. In the preparation of the Code, account was taken of the fact
that wide application of radio-telephony and radio-telegraphy can provide simple and effective
(f) the International Code Signal of distress indicated by N.C.; means of communication in plain language whenever language difficulties do not exist.

(g) a signal consisting of a square flag having above or below it a ball or anything resembling a Single-letter signals allocated to significations which are very urgent, important, or of very
ball; common use.

(h) flames on the vessel (as from a burning tar barrel, oil barrel, etc.); A I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.
*B I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.
(i) a rocket parachute flare or a hand-flare showing a red light; *C Yes (affirmative or “The significance of the previous group should be read in the
affirmative”).
(j) a smoke signal giving off orange-coloured smoke; *D Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.
*E I am altering my course to starboard.
(k) slowly and repeatedly raising and lowering arms outstretched to each side; F I am disabled; communicate with me.
*G I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing G—with four or five numerals.............................................. LONGITUDE (the last two numerals
grounds it means: “I am hauling nets”. denote minutes and the rest degrees).
*H I have a pilot on board.
*I I am altering my course to port. K—with one numeral ........................................................... I wish to COMMUNICATE with you
J I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me, or I am leaking by . . . (Complements Table 1, Chapter 2, Section 10).
dangerous cargo.
K I wish to communicate with you. L—with four numerals ......................................................... LATITUDE (the first two denote
L You should stop your vessel instantly. degrees and the rest minutes).
M My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.
N No (negative or “The significance of the previous group should be read in the negative”). R—with one or more numerals ............................................ DISTANCE in nautical miles.
This signal may be given only visually or by sound. For voice or radio transmission the signal
should be “NO”. S—with one or more numerals ............................................. SPEED in knots.
O Man overboard.
P In harbor.—All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. At T—with four numerals ......................................................... LOCAL TIME (the first two denote
sea.—It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: “My nets have come fast upon an hours and the rest minutes).
obstruction”. It may also be used as a sound to mean: “I require a pilot”.
Q My vessel is “healthy” and I request free pratique. V—with one or more numerals ............................................ SPEED in kilometers per hour.
*S I am operating astern propulsion.
*T Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling. Z—with four numerals ......................................................... GMT (the first two denote hours and
U You are running into danger. the rest minutes).
V I require assistance.
W I require medical assistance. Z—with one numeral............................................................ To call or address shore visual
X Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals. stations (Numeral to be approved by local port authority).
Y I am dragging my anchor.
*Z I require a tug. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing The IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) has been compiled:
grounds it means: “I am shooting nets”. 1. To assist in the greater safety of navigation and of the conduct of the ship;
2. To standardize the language used in communication for navigation at sea, in port
Notes: 1. Signals of letters marked by an asterisk (*) when made by sound may only be made in approaches, waterways and harbours, and on board vessels with multilingual crews;
compliance with the requirements of the International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at 3. to assist maritime training institutions in meeting the objectives mentioned above.
Sea, 1972.
2. Signals “K” and “S” have special meanings as landing signals for small boats with crews or ITU is the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies –
persons in distress. (International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974, Chapter V, ICTs.
Regulation 16.)
Founded in 1865 to facilitate international connectivity in communications networks, we allocate
SINGLE LETTER SIGNALS WITH COMPLEMENTS global radio spectrum and satellite orbits, develop the technical standards that ensure networks
May be made by any method of signaling. and technologies seamlessly interconnect, and strive to improve access to ICTs to underserved
communities worldwide. Every time you make a phonecall via the mobile, access the Internet or
A—with three numerals........................................................ AZIMUTH or BEARING. send an email, you are benefitting from the work of ITU.
ITU is committed to connecting all the world's people – wherever they live and whatever their
C—with three numerals........................................................ COURSE. means. Through our work, we protect and support everyone's right to communicate.

D—with two, four, or six numerals ...................................... DATE. Volume 1: Articles has 10 Chapters as follows:

CHAPTER I – Terminology and technical characteristics

 Region 1: Region 1 includes the area limited on the east by line A (lines A, B and C are defined
CHAPTER II – Frequencies below) and on the west by line B, excluding any of the territory of the Islamic Republic of Iran
which lies between these limits. It also includes the whole of the territory of Armenia, Azerbaijan,
CHAPTER III – Coordination, notification and recording of frequency assignments and Plan the Russian Federation, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan,
modifications Turkmenistan, Turkey and Ukraine and the area to the north of Russian Federation which lies
between lines A and C.
CHAPTER IV – Interferences
Region 2: Region 2 includes the area limited on the east by line B and on the west by line C.
CHAPTER V – Administrative provisions
Region 3: Region 3 includes the area limited on the east by line C and on the west by line A,
CHAPTER VI – Provisions for services and stations except any of the territory of Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Russian Federation, Georgia,
Kazakhstan, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Turkey and Ukraine
CHAPTER VII – Distress and safety communications and the area to the north of Russian Federation. It also includes that part of the territory of the
Islamic Republic of Iran lying outside of those limits.
CHAPTER VIII – Aeronautical services
Line A: Line A extends from the North Pole along meridian 40° East of Greenwich to parallel 40°
CHAPTER IX – Maritime services North; thence by great circle arc to the intersection of meridian 60° East and the Tropic of
Cancer; thence along the meridian 60° East to the South Pole.
CHAPTER X – Provisions for entry into force of the Radio Regulations
Line B: Line B extends from the North Pole along meridian 10° West of Greenwich to its
1. Radio Regulations intersection with parallel 72° North; thence by great circle arc to the intersection of meridian 50°
The Radio Regulations (RR) incorporates the decisions of the World Radiocommunication West and parallel 40° North; thence by great circle arc to the intersection of meridian 20° West
Conferences (WRCs), including all Appendices, Resolutions, Recommendations and ITU-R and parallel 10° South; thence along meridian 20° West to the South Pole.
Recommendations incorporated by reference.
Line C: Line C extends from the North Pole by great circle arc to the intersection of parallel 65°
The Rules of Procedure are approved by the Radio Regulations Board (RRB). They 30c North with the international boundary in Bering Strait; thence by great circle arc to the
complement the RR by providing clarification of the application of particular Regulations or intersection of meridian 165° East of Greenwich and parallel 50° North; thence by great circle
establishing the necessary practical procedures that may not be provided for in the current arc to the intersection of meridian 170° West and parallel 10° North; thence along parallel 10°
Regulatory Procedures. North to its intersection with meridian 120° West; thence along meridian 120° West to the South
Pole.
2. Frequencies
Categories and Service Allocations
Frequency allocations Primary and secondary services
Regions and Areas 1.) Where, in a box of the Table in Section IV of this Article, a band is indicated as allocated to
For the allocation of frequencies the world has been divided into three Regions1 as shown on more than one service, either on a worldwide or Regional basis, such services are listed in the
the following map: following order:
a.) services the names of which are printed in “capitals” (example: FIXED); these are called
“primary” services;
The shaded part represents the Tropical Zones b.) services the names of which are printed in “normal characters” (example: Mobile); these are
called “secondary” services (see Nos. 3 to 3.c.)
It should be noted that where the words “regions” or “regional” are without a capital “R” in these
Regulations, they do not relate to the three Regions here defined for purposes of frequency 2.) Additional remarks shall be printed in normal characters (example: MOBILE except
allocation. aeronautical mobile).
3.) Stations of a secondary service: The master or the person responsible, as well as all persons who may have knowledge of the
a.) shall not cause harmful interference to stations of primary services to which frequencies are text or even of the existence of a radiotelegram, or of any information whatever obtained by
already assigned or to which frequencies may be assigned at a later date; means of the radiocommunication service, are placed under the obligation of observing and
b.) cannot claim protection from harmful interference from stations of a primary service to which ensuring the secrecy of correspondence.
frequencies are already assigned or may be assigned at a later date;
c. can claim protection, however, from harmful interference from stations of the same or other These provisions shall also apply to personnel of ship earth stations.
secondary service(s) to which frequencies may be assigned at a later date.

4.) Where a band is indicated in a footnote of the Table as allocated to a service “on a
secondary basis” in an area smaller than a Region, or in a particular country, this is a secondary 1. Chapter V Regulation 11 of 1974 SOLAS
service (see Nos. 3 to 3.c.).
1. Ship reporting systems contribute to safety of life at sea, safety and efficiency of navigation,
5.) Where a band is indicated in a footnote of the Table as allocated to a service “on a primary and protection of the marine environment. A ship reporting system, when adopted and
basis”, in an area smaller than a Region, or in a particular country, this is a primary service only implemented in accordance with the guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization**
in that area or country. pursuant to this regulation, shall be used by all ships, or certain categories of ships or ships
carrying certain cargoes in accordance with the provisions of each system so adopted.
Watchkeeping
Ship Stations 2. The Organization is recognized as the only international body for developing guidelines,
Ship stations, where so equipped, shall, while at sea, maintain an automatic digital selective criteria and regulations on an international level for ship reporting systems. Contracting
calling watch on the appropriate distress and safety calling frequencies in the frequency bands Government shall refer proposals for the adoption of ship reporting systems to the Organization.
in which they are operating. Ship stations, where so equipped, shall also maintain watch on the The Organization will collate and disseminate to Contracting Governments all relevant
appropriate frequencies for the automatic reception of transmissions of meteorological and information with regard to any adopted ship reporting system.
navigational warnings and other urgent information to ships.
3. The initiation of action for establishing a ship reporting system is the responsibility of the
3. Administrative Provisions Government or Governments concerned. In developing such systems provision of the
Secrecy guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization* shall be taken into account.
In the application of the appropriate provisions of the Constitution and the Convention,
administrations bind themselves to take the necessary measures to prohibit and prevent: 4. Ship reporting systems not submitted to the Organization for adoption do not necessarily
a) the unauthorized interception of radiocommunications not intended for the general use of the need to comply with this regulation. However, Governments implementing such systems are
public; encouraged to follow, wherever possible, the guidelines and criteria developed by the
Organization* . Contracting Governments may submit such systems to the Organization for
b) the divulgence of the contents, simple disclosure of the existence, publication or any use recognition.
whatever, without authorization of information of any nature whatever obtained by the
interception of the radiocommunications mentioned in paragraph a. 5. Where two or more Governments have a common interest in a particular area, they should
formulate proposals for a co-ordinated ship reporting system on the basis of agreement
4. Maritime Services between them. Before proceeding with a proposal for adoption of a ship reporting system, the
Authority of the Master Organization shall disseminate details of the proposal to those Governments which have a
The service of a ship station is placed under the supreme authority of the master or of the common interest in the area covered by the proposed system. Where a co-ordinated ship
person responsible for the ship or other vessel carrying the station. reporting system is adopted and established, it shall have uniform procedures and operations.

The person holding this authority shall require that each operator comply with these Regulations 6. After adoption of a ship reporting system in accordance with this regulation, the Government
and that the ship station for which the operator is responsible is used, at all times, in accordance or Governments concerned shall take all measures necessary for the promulgation of any
with these Regulations. information needed for the efficient and effective use of the system. Any adopted ship reporting
system shall have the capability of interaction and the ability to assist ships with information
when necessary. Such systems shall be operated in accordance with the guidelines and criteria
developed by the Organization* pursuant to this regulation. 1. Distress calls, distress messages, and distress traffic - A distress message indicates that a
mobile unit or person is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires immediate
7. The master of a ship shall comply with the requirements of adopted ship reporting systems assistance. A distress message has absolute priority over all other communications. Distress
and report to the appropriate authority all information required in accordance with the provisions calls transmitted by radiotelephony are prefixed by the spoken word MAYDAY sent three times.
of each such system. Subsequent messages are preceded by the word MAYDAY once only. A distress message is
often preceded by a distress alert using DSC.
8. All adopted ship reporting systems and actions taken to enforce compliance with those
systems shall be consistent with international law, including the relevant provisions of the United 2. Urgency communications - An urgency message indicates that the calling station has a very
Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. urgent message concerning the safety of a mobile unit or person. An urgency message has
priority over all other communications, excepting distress. Urgency messages transmitted via
9. Nothing in this regulation or its associated guidelines and criteria shall prejudice the rights radiotelephony are prefixed by the words PAN PAN sent three times. An urgency message is
and duties of Governments under international law or the legal regimes of straits used for often preceded by an urgency Alert using DSC.
international navigation and archipelagic sea lanes.
3. Safety communications - A safety message indicates that the calling station has an important
10. The participation of ships in accordance with the provisions of adopted ship reporting navigational or meteorological warning to transmit. A safety message has priority over all other
systems shall be free of charge to the ships concerned. communications, excepting distress and urgency. Safety messages sent via radiotelephony are
prefixed by the word SECURITE sent three times. A safety message can be preceded by a
11. The Organization shall ensure that adopted ship reporting systems are reviewed under the safety alert using DSC.
guidelines and criteria developed by the Organization.
4. Other communications - A routine message is one not covered by the previous categories.
1. Maritime Mobile Services Public correspondence communications are those which are used to convey routine information
When a station operating in the maritime mobile service or the maritime mobile satellite service between persons on board ships and those ashore through the public telecommunications
is required to use maritime mobile service identities, the responsible administration shall assign network. Examples of public correspondence communications are: telephone, fax, email and
the identity to the station in accordance with the provisions described in Annex 1 of data messages.
Recommendation ITU-R M.585-8. In accordance with No. 20.16, administrations shall notify the
Radiocommunication Bureau immediately when assigning maritime mobile service identities. A routine message is one not covered by the previous categories. Public correspondence
communications are those which are used to convey routine information between persons on
Maritime mobile service identities are formed of a series of nine digits which are transmitted board ships and those ashore through the public telecommunications network. Examples of
over the radio path in order to uniquely identify ship stations, ship earth stations, coast stations, public correspondence communications are: telephone, fax, email and data messages.
coast earth stations, and other non-shipborne stations operating in the maritime mobile service
or the maritime mobile-satellite service, and group calls. 3. Type of Stations
Ship stations
These identities are formed in such a way that the identity or part thereof can be used by A ship station is a radio station established on board a ship for communications with stations
telephone and telex subscribers connected to the public telecommunications network principally ashore and other ship stations.
to call ships automatically in the shore-to-ship direction. Access to public networks may also be
achieved by means of free-form numbering plans, so long as the ship can be uniquely identified Coastal radio stations
using the system’s registration database to obtain the ship station identity, call sign or ship name A coast radio station is a radio station established on land for the purpose of communicating
and nationality. (ITU RR Chapter V Section VI). with ships at sea.

2. Order of Priority of Communications Port operations stations

Chapter IX Article 53 of the International Telecommunication Union Radio Regulations states Port operations stations are established for the operational control of ships in and around ports
that all stations in the maritime mobile service and the maritime mobile-satellite service shall be and harbours. A vessel traffic service (VTS) can operate within port areas, and can be guided in
capable of offering four levels of priority in the following order: their operation by with IMO Resolution A.857 (20) (Guidelines on Vessel Traffic Services).
Aircraft stations Low frequency signals are used by amateur radio operators; it is one of the most important
Ship stations communicate with aircraft stations during search and rescue operations on sources of information transfer when other kind of communication sources fails during some
designated frequencies. situation like natural disasters. Other areas are military applications like submarines, RFID tags
in near field communication and some low frequency radio broadcasting.
Rescue Coordination Center (RCC)
The RCC coordinates search and rescue operations for ships and aircraft and the promulgation Medium frequencies (MF) 300 to 3 000 kHz
of navigation warning information (referred to as MSI). It is also the mission control centre for Medium frequency was one of the most popular frequency bands since the beginning of
the Cospas-Sarsat system. The RCC is connected by various communications links to coast wireless radio transmission in the early nineteenth century. MF operates in the range of 300 KHz
radio stations, land earth stations (LESs) and other search and rescue organisations. to 3 MHz. Design of transmitters, receivers and antenna are relatively less complex than other
high frequency transmission bands. MF has been widely using in AM radio transmission,
4. Radio Frequency Bands navigation systems for ships and aircraft, emergency distress signals, cost guards and other
The number of times that the alternating current in a radio wave performs its complete cycle per experimental applications.
second is known as its frequency. The international unit of measurement of frequency is the
hertz (symbol = Hz). High frequencies (HF) 3 to 30 MHz
High frequency signals ranges between 3 MHz and 30 Mhz. This frequency band is also known
Units of frequency are: as short wave. It also gets reflected by earth’s ionosphere and it is one of the suitable band for
The kilohertz (kHz) = 1 000 hertz long distance communication. High frequency band is mostly used by aviation industry, near
The megahertz (MHz) = 1 000 000 hertz field communication (NFC), government systems, amateur radio operators and weather
The gigahertz (GHz) = 1 000 000 000 hertz. broadcasting stations.

The wavelength of a radio wave is the distance between two successive positive peaks of two Very high frequencies (VHF) 30 to 300 MHz
cycles. Wavelength is inversely proportional to frequency, ie as the frequency of a radio wave Very high frequency is one of the most commonly used bands which has an operating range
increases, the wavelength decreases, and viceversa. from 30 MHz to 300 MHz. VHF frequency is widely used in analog TV broadcasting since it has
started few decades back. FM radio broadcasting at 88 MHz to 108 MHz operates in VHF
The wavelength of a radio wave is determined by the formula: frequency band.
Wavelength (λ) = velocity in metres (m) per second (s) divided by frequency in hertz (Hz).
Air traffic controllers and airline pilots using frequency between 118 MHz to 137 MHz to
The velocity of a radio wave is a constant 300 000 000 m per second. communicate. Another uses includes private and business radio station, medical equipment
(magnetic resonance imaging), amateur radio and military applications. It usually affected by big
Subdivision of Frequency Spectrum terrains but suitable for short distance communication.
The radio frequency spectrum is sub-divided into eight bands, as follows:
Ultra high frequencies (UHF) 300 to 3 000 MHz
Very low frequencies (VLF) 3 to 30 kHz Ultra high frequency is the most important frequency bands for modern wireless communication
Very low frequency is the starting range of RF and practical radio transmission system which systems. It begins from 300 MHz to 3 GHz and extremely complicated to design and implement
span from 3 KHz to 30 KHz. However, design and implementation of the antenna system is the system. It has many sub frequency bands, some are restricted and assigned only for
extremely complicated due to the wavelength. It has been using in submarines and still used in particular applications. It is used in GPS navigation systems, satellites, pagers, Wi-Fi,
time radio station which synchronizes clock signals between two remote locations Bluetooth, television broadcasting, and most importantly GSM, CDMA and LTE mobile
transmission.
Low frequencies (LF) 30 to 300 kHz
Low frequency is in the range of 30 KHz to 300 KHz. One of the important properties of LF Super high frequencies (SHF) 3 to 30 GHz
signals is that it will get reflected by earth’s ionosphere and thus it is suitable for long distance Super high frequency is in the range of 3 GHz to 30 GHz. It can only operate in line of sight path
communication. Since it’s long wavelength and less attenuation from big terrains like mountains, since any obstruction in between the transmitter and receiving station will break the
it is generally called ground waves. communication. It is commonly used in point to point communication, satellite systems, digital
TV broadcasting in Ku band (DTH service – direct to home), Wi-Fi (5GHz channel), microwave
ovens and mobile networks. Waveguides are suitable between transmitter and antenna due to The Distress Alert must provide the identification of the ship in distress and its position and may
higher losses of usual RF cables. System design is extremely hard in SHF band due to its also contain information regarding the nature of the distress, the type of assistance required, the
smaller wavelength and complexity. course and speed of the ship, the time that this information was recorded and any other
information which might facilitate rescue.
Extra high frequencies (EHF) 30 to 300 GHz
Extra high frequency band is the highest in RF frequency spectrum which range between 30 A ship’s operator receiving a Distress Alert must, as soon as possible, inform the Master or
GHz and 300 GHz. EHF is only used in advanced communication systems due to its complex person responsible for the safety of the ship of the contents of the Distress Alert.
nature and line of sight requirement. EHF is used in radio astronomy and remote sensing
(weather analysis). It is suggested to use for high speed internet systems like 5G technology for Any station receiving a distress alert must immediately cease any transmission capable of
future transmission networks due to large bandwidth availability. interfering with distress traffic.

GMDSS for Search and Rescue and Ship Reporting System Distress Alerts
A Distress Alert indicates that a mobile unit or person is threatened by grave and imminent A Distress Alert indicates that a mobile unit or person is threatened by grave and imminent
danger and requires immediate assistance. This Alert has absolute priority over all other danger and requires immediate assistance. This Alert has absolute priority over all other
transmissions. Distress Alert may be a DSC transmitted by terrestrial communications (MF, HF transmissions. Distress Alert may be a DSC transmitted by terrestrial communications (MF, HF
or VHF), a Distress Message format transmitted by Inmarsat communications or a Distress Call or VHF), a Distress Message format transmitted by Inmarsat communications or a Distress Call
transmitted by voice. transmitted by voice.
The signal from an activated satellite EPIRB is also regarded as a Distress Alert. The signal from an activated satellite EPIRB is also regarded as a Distress Alert.

A Distress Alert may only be sent on the authority of the Master or person responsible for the A Distress Alert may only be sent on the authority of the Master or person responsible for the
safety of the ship. safety of the ship.
The Distress Alert must provide the identification of the ship in distress and its position and may
also contain information regarding the nature of the distress, the type of assistance required, the
course and speed of the ship, the time that this information was recorded and any other
information which might facilitate rescue.

A ship’s operator receiving a Distress Alert must, as soon as possible, inform the Master or
person responsible for the safety of the ship of the contents of the Distress Alert.

Any station receiving a distress alert must immediately cease any transmission capable of
interfering with distress traffic.