CALLING AND DISTRESS FREQUENCY MONITORING
By international agreement the FCC requires that while underway, all vessels maintain a watch on certain designated calling and distress frequencies. These include a 24-hour watch on each of the following:
1. Channel 16, bridge-to-bridge VHF radio.
2. 2182 kHz,(2.182 MHz), SSB radio.
3. 500 kHz, radiotelegraph, if equipment is carried.
The VHF and SSB frequencies are required to be monitored by the deck officer on watch. The radiotelegraph frequency must be monitored by the radio operator or have an approved auto alarm system on the designated frequency to be used when the radio officer is not on watch.
Watch officers should log all voice communications in the VHF logbook, and radio officers must keep a CW log as required. Any distress messages received, if within assistance range or not, are required to be logged.
If a distress message is received, the officer should copy down all information and, if within possible range to render assistance, establish communications with the vessel in distress. The master should always be notified of the reception of a distress message; if a radio officer is aboard, he or she should also be notified to render communications assistance. The vessel should always contact the U.S. Coast Guard or the nearest government agency to notify the authority that they are available to render assistance.
The deck officer should be well aware of the following voice communication prefixes used in marine radio communications:
1. Mayday, mayday, mayday-used in the transmission of distress messages.
2. Pan, pan, pan-used in the broadcast of very urgent safety or navigation information.
3. Securite, securite, securite-used in the broadcast of important navigation or safety information.
