Marine Orders - Part 21: Safety of navigation and emergency procedures, Issue 6 (Order No. 2 of 2009)
31Misuse of distress and safety signals
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31 Misuse of distress and safety signals
[SOLAS V/35]
31.1 A person must not:
(a) transmit or display a prescribed signal of distress; or
(b) transmit a prescribed urgency signal; or
(c) send out a danger message.
unless the transmission, display or sending out is permitted by this Part or another Part of Marine Orders.
31.2 A person must not, except in the case of actual distress, use any flare, rocket or shell that could be mistaken for a prescribed signal of distress coming from a ship, unless advance notice has been given to the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Australia.
Note: The address of the Rescue Coordination Centre (RCC) Australia is GPO Box 2181, Canberra ACT 2601. The telephone number is 1800 641 792 and the facsimile number is 1800 622 153. Notice should preferably be given 7 days in advance. A person proposing to discharge a flare, rocket or shell may also need to comply with State or Territory requirements. A Flare demonstration notification form is available from the AMSA website at www.amsa.gov.au.
31.3 When a distress signal has been accidentally transmitted from a ship, the Master must advise immediately the relevant marine rescue coordination centre of the accidental transmission and that the ship is in no danger.
Note: Cancellation of a distress alert sent accidentally shall be in accordance with the provisions of Article 32 of the ITU Radio Regulations.
31.4 If a person removes an EPIRB from a ship for purposes other than test and repair, that person must ensure that the batteries are removed from the EPIRB.