Mariners are advised that due to the aging Coast Guard Medium Frequency radio infrastructure, calls to the Coast Guard on the international radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz may not be reliably received by the Coast Guard. Areas where maritime broadcasts on 2670 kHz are being received satisfactorily by mariners should not be affected. Similarly, mariners using high frequency (HF) radiotelephones equipped with digital selective calling (DSC) capable of operating on the 4, 6, 8, 12 and 16 MHz distress frequencies should not be affected. Coast Guard watchkeeping services on these HF radiotelephone and DSC distress frequencies are posted at http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/?pageName=cgcommsCall.
Mariners who receive a distress alert or call that has not been acknowledged by the Coast Guard are asked to assist if possible and advise the nearest Coast Guard unit using whatever means are practicable.