Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 63 Part 2.djvu/606

 63 STAT.] MULTILATERAL-TELEC(OMMUINICATIONS-OCT. 2, 1947 (Chapter XIV, art. 37 RR). (879883) - the call sign of the mobile station in distress, sent three times. 879 § 11. The distress call, when sent by radiotelephony, is generally preceded by the signal...-- - ... produced by a whistle or any other suitable means. 880 § 12. The distress call sent by radiotelephony comprises: - the distress signal MAYDAY spoken three times; - the words THIS IS, followed by the identification of the mobile station in distress, the whole re- peated three times. 881 § 13. The distress call has absolute priority over other transmissions. All stations which hear it must immediately cease any transmission capable of interfering with the dis- tress traffic and must listen on the frequency used for the emission of the distress call. This call must not be addressed to a particular station and acknowledgment of receipt is not to be given before the distress message is sent. Section V. Distress Message 882 § 14 (1) The distress call must be followed as soon as pos- sible by the distress message. This message comprises: - the distress call; - the name of the ship, aircraft, or vehicle in dis- tress; - particulars of its position, the nature of the dis- tress and the kind of assistance desired; - any other information which might facilitate the rescue. 883 (2) As a general rule, a ship signals its position in lati- tude and longitude (Greenwich), using figures for the degrees and minutes, together with one of the words NORTH or SOUTH and one of the words EAST or WEST. The signal .- .- .- is used to separate the degrees from the min- 1903

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