You are in distress and need to raise the alarm with this DSC radio. What do you do?
A fixed VHF radio showing channel 16. On its front is a round red button marked DISTRESS, with a hinged cover that has been lifted.
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Lift the cover, hold the red button until the radio shows the alert has gone, then call MAYDAY by voice on channel 16. Holding the red button (about 5 seconds on most sets) sends a digital alert on channel 70 with your MMSI number, and your position if a GPS is connected. Then send the spoken MAYDAY on channel 16, when the alert is acknowledged or after about 15 seconds. Channel 70 is for DSC only and is never used for voice.