You are the OOW on a yacht operating in Sea Area A1 and you witness another vessel in apparent distress nearby with no other vessels in the area. What is the correct immediate communication procedure?

Question

Accepted Answer

Make a distress relay using DSC and VHF Channel 16, providing the position and nature of distress, while proceeding to render assistance if it is safe to do so Under SOLAS and GMDSS obligations, a vessel observing another in distress and not itself in communication with rescue coordination must relay the distress information using the most effective means available — DSC alert and voice on Channel 16 in Sea Area A1 — to ensure the Coastguard and nearby vessels are aware. The Master also has an obligation under SOLAS to proceed to the assistance of persons in distress at sea, provided it does not seriously endanger their own vessel or crew.

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