47Duties on activation of a distress watch receiver

47 Duties on activation of a distress watch receiver

 47.1 When the distress frequency watch receiver or Inmarsat EGC receiver distress alarm on a ship is activated, the person in charge of the ship radio station, if it is safe, must commence watch on the distress frequency or other frequency specified by the urgency or distress message.

 47.2 Subject to section 48, the person must, if it is safe to do so, keep watch for a sufficient time to ensure that:

(a) the urgency message or distress signal is received; or

(b) an urgency or distress message would have been received if one had been transmitted and the ship had been within range of the transmitting station; or

(c) the person is satisfied that the activation was due to:

 (i) a fault in the radio installation, or

 (ii) an electrical storm.

 47.3 A person who receives an urgency or distress message, must immediately give the master details of the message if it is safe to do so.