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The US Coast Guard stresses the importance of registering distress alert devices and canceling false alerts swiftly to maintain maritime safety.
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A high volume of false alerts from 2020 to 2024 underscores the need for correct handling and registration.
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Regulations provide clear guidance on both registration and cancellation procedures, which should be integrated into vessel safety systems.
Distress Alerts vs. False Alerts: The Data
According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s Incident History Database (IHDB), the number of distress and false alerts from 2020 to 2024 is as follows:
| Year | Distress Alerts | False Alerts |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 88 | 2,014 |
| 2021 | 78 | 1,971 |
| 2022 | 80 | 2,209 |
| 2023 | 60 | 2,066 |
| 2024 | 104 | 2,149 |
This chart highlights the ongoing issue of false alerts, which can lead to unnecessary deployment of rescue resources and hinder real emergency responses.
Registering Distress Alert Devices
Distress alert devices such as EPIRBs (Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacons), PLBs (Personal Locator Beacons), SARTs (Search and Rescue Transponders), DSC (Digital Selective Calling) marine radios with MMSI numbers, and Inmarsat ship earth stations play a critical role in ensuring maritime safety.
Keeping registration information up to date is vital, especially after a change in vessel ownership or emergency contacts. The US Coast Guard emphasizes:
“Proper registration of your EPIRB is intended to save your life and is mandated by Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations.”
For marine radios and Inmarsat systems, it is highly encouraged to have a licensed FCC technician program the MMSI number. These devices typically do not allow for corrections after an incorrect entry, which reinforces the need for precision during setup.
Canceling False Alerts: A Safety Imperative
False distress alerts—whether unintentional or deliberate—consume vital search and rescue resources. These incidents are commonly caused by beacon mishandling, mounting failures, environmental conditions, improper disposal, or mistakenly pressing the distress button.
Canceling a false alert immediately is essential to prevent unnecessary rescue actions. The correct procedures are outlined in Title 47 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Section 80.335.
“If a Rescue Coordination Center is unable to reach a representative for the vessel, it will result in the unnecessary launching of resources, whether federal, state, or local.”
Vessel operators using a Safety Management System (SMS) or Towing Safety Management System (TSMS) are advised to incorporate these cancellation procedures to ensure compliance and preparedness.
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Source: Safety4sea
