Sec. 80.1123  Watch requirements for ship stations.

    (a) While at sea, all ships must maintain a continuous watch:
    (1) On VHF DSC channel 70, if the ship is fitted with a VHF radio 
installation in accordance with Sec. 80.1085(a)(2);
    (2) On the distress and safety DSC frequency 2187.5 kHz, if the ship 
is fitted with an MF radio installation in accordance with 
Secs. 80.1089(a)(2) or 80.1091(a)(3);
    (3) On the distress and safety DSC frequencies 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 
kHz also on at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 
4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz, or 16804.5 kHz appropriate to the time 
of day and the geographical position of the ship, if the ship is fitted 
with an MF/HF radio installation in accordance with 
Secs. 80.1091(a)(2)(ii) or 80.1093(a) of this part (this watch may be 
kept by means of a scanning receiver limited to six distress and safety 
DSC frequencies); and
    (4) For satellite shore-to-ship distress alert, if the ship is 
fitted with an INMARSAT ship earth station in accordance with 
Sec. 80.1091(a)(1).
    (b) While at sea, all ships must maintain radio watches for 
broadcasts of maritime safety information on the appropriate frequency 
or frequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in 
which the ship is navigating.
    (c) Until February 1, 1999, every ship while at sea must maintain, 
when practicable, a continuous listening watch on VHF Channel 16. This 
watch must be kept at the position from which the ship is normally 
navigated or at a position which is continuously manned.
    (d) Until February 1, 1999, every ship required to carry a 
radiotelephone watch receiver must maintain, while at sea, a continuous 
watch on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz. This watch must 
be kept at the position from which the ship is normally navigated or at 
a position which is continuously manned.
    (e) On receipt of a distress alert transmitted by use of digital 
selective

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calling techniques, ship stations must set watch on the radiotelephone 
distress and safety traffic frequency associated with the distress and 
safety calling frequency on which the distress alert was received.
    (f) Ship stations with narrow-band direct printing equipment must 
set watch on the narrow-band direct-printing frequency associated with 
the distress alert signal if it indicates that narrow-band direct-
printing is to be used for subsequent distress communications. If 
practicable, they should additionally set watch on the radiotelephone 
frequency associated with the distress alert frequency.