§  80.369   Distress, urgency, safety, call and reply frequencies.

   This section describes the general uses and frequencies assignable to
   maritime stations for distress, urgency, safety, call and reply
   radiotelephony communications.

   (a) In the 1605–3500 kHz band, the frequency 2182 is an international
   radiotelephony distress, urgency and safety frequency for ship
   stations, public and private coast stations, and survival craft
   stations. It is also used for call and reply by ship stations on a
   primary basis and by public coast stations on a secondary basis. The
   carrier frequency 2191 kHz may be used as a supplementary calling
   frequency in areas of heavy usage of 2182 kHz. All stations must use
   J3E emission when operating on 2182 and 2191 kHz, except that:

   (1) H3E emission may be used on 2182 kHz for communications with
   foreign coast and ship stations; or,

   (2) A3E emission may be used on 2182 kHz by portable survival craft
   stations, or transmitters authorized for use prior to January 1, 1972.
   See § 80.203(c).

   (b) The frequencies 4125.0 kHz, 6215 kHz, 8291 kHz, 12290 kHz, and
   16420 kHz may be used by coast and ship stations on a simplex basis for
   distress and safety communications. The frequency 4125.0 kHz may also
   be used for distress and safety communications between aircraft and
   maritime mobile stations.

   (c) The frequency 5167.5 kHz is available to any station for emergency
   communications in the State of Alaska. Peak envelope power of stations
   operating on this frequency must not exceed 150 watts. This frequency
   may also be used by Alaska private fixed stations for calling and
   listening, but only for establishing communication.

   (d) In the 4000–27500 kHz band, the following coast frequencies are
   available for assignment to public coast stations for call and reply
   communications. The paired ship frequencies are available for use by
   authorized ship stations.

   Call and Reply Frequency Pairs in the 4000–27500 kHz
          Carrier Frequencies (kHz)
   Channel No. Ship transmit Coast transmit
   421            ^1,2,34125         ^14417
   606              ^2,36215         ^16516
   821                  8255           8779
   1221              ^312290          13137
   1621              ^316420          17302
   1806                18795          19770
   2221                22060          22756
   2510                25097          26172

   ^1The frequencies 4125 kHz, 4417 kHz, and 6516 kHz are also available
   on a simplex basis for private communications, see § 80.373(c) of this
   part.

   ^2The frequencies of 4125 kHz and 6215 kHz are also available on a
   simplex basis to ship and coast stations for call and reply, provided
   that the peak envelope power does not exceed 1 kW.

   ^3The frequencies 4125 kHz, 6215 kHz, 8291 kHz, 12290 kHz, and 16420
   kHz are also available on a simplex basis for distress and safety
   traffic, see paragraph (b) of this section.

   (e) In the 120–156 MHz band the following frequencies are used as
   indicated:

   (1) The frequencies 121.500 MHz and 123.100 MHz using A3E emission are
   available for scene of action search and rescue operations to ship,
   coast and aircraft stations. Communications in support of search and
   rescue operations must employ the frequency 121.500 MHz only when
   communications on 123.100 MHz or other VHF frequencies is not
   practicable. Ship, coast and aircraft stations engaged in such
   communications on 121.500 MHz must shift to 123.100 MHz as soon as
   possible.

   (2) The frequency 156.525 MHz is available for intership, ship and
   coast general purpose, distress and safety DSC calls.

   (3) The frequency 156.800 MHz is the international radiotelephone
   distress, urgency, safety, call and reply frequency for ship, public
   and private coast stations. Stations operating on 156.800 MHz must be
   able to transmit and receive using G3E emission.

   (4) The frequency 156.450 MHz (channel 9) is available for intership,
   ship and coast station general purpose calling by noncommercial
   vessels, such as recreational boats. Distress, urgency and safety calls
   should initially be made on 156.800 MHz (channel 16) or, if equipped
   with DSC, on 156.525 MHz (channel 70).

   [ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  52 FR 35245 , Sept. 18, 1987;
    54 FR 49995 , Dec. 4, 1989;  56 FR 9893 , Mar. 8, 1991;  57 FR 19552 , May
   7, 1992]