Safety, Fire & Survival · GMDSS — False Alerts
If a distress alert (e.g., DSC or EPIRB) is transmitted accidentally, the vessel should:
- ASwitch off the radio and say nothing
- BWait to see if anyone responds
- CImmediately cancel it and notify the appropriate coast station/rescue authority✓ Correct
- DLeave it for the next watch
Explanation
A false distress alert must be cancelled at once and the relevant coast station/RCC informed (by DSC cancel and by voice on Ch 16/2182 kHz) to prevent an unnecessary SAR response. Unresolved false alerts waste critical resources.
Authority: ITU Radio Regulations; IMO guidance on false alerts
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