Sec.  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
    Sec. 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)
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                    Ship        Coast
                  Channel No.                     transmit     transmit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
421...........................................   1,2,3 4125     \1\ 4417
606...........................................     2,3 6215     \1\ 6516
821...........................................         8255         8779
1221..........................................    \3\ 12290        13137
1621..........................................    \3\ 16420        17302
1806..........................................        18795        19770
2221..........................................        22060        22756
2510..........................................        25097       26172
------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ The frequencies 4125 kHz, 4417 kHz, and 6516 kHz are also available
  on a simplex basis for private communications, see  Sec.  80.373(c) of
  this part.
\2\ The 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.
\3\ The 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]