Sec.  80.311   Authority for distress transmission.

   A mobile station in distress may use any means at its disposal to attract
   attention, make known its position, and obtain help. A distress call and
   message, however, must be transmitted only on the authority of the master or
   person  responsible  for the mobile station. No person shall knowingly
   transmit, or cause to be transmitted, any false or fraudulent signal of
   distress or related communication.