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Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and RadiotelegraphsRelease 119-102

§321 Distress Signals and Communications; Equipment on Vessels; Regulations

Title 47 › CHAPTER 5 — WIRE OR RADIO COMMUNICATION › SUBCHAPTER III — SPECIAL PROVISIONS RELATING TO RADIO › Part I — General Provisions › § 321

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

When a ship sends a distress signal or emergency radio message, its radio may be turned up to the strongest setting needed, even if that causes interference. All radio stations, including government stations and foreign ships inside U.S. territorial waters, must give distress calls top priority. They must stop any transmissions that would block a distress call, stay silent unless they are helping or answering, and assist the distressed vessel as best they can by following its instructions.

Full Legal Text

Title 47, §321

Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

(a)The transmitting set in a radio station on shipboard may be adjusted in such a manner as to produce a maximum of radiation, irrespective of the amount of interference which may thus be caused, when such station is sending radio communications or signals of distress and radio communications relating thereto.
(b)All radio stations, including Government stations and stations on board foreign vessels when within the territorial waters of the United States, shall give absolute priority to radio communications or signals relating to ships in distress; shall cease all sending on frequencies which will interfere with hearing a radio communication or signal of distress, and, except when engaged in answering or aiding the ship in distress, shall refrain from sending any radio communications or signals until there is assurance that no interference will be caused with the radio communications or signals relating thereto, and shall assist the vessel in distress, so far as possible, by complying with its instructions.

Legislative History

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1937—Subsec. (a). Act May 20, 1937, struck out provisions which required radio stations on shipboard to be equipped to transmit radio communications or signals of distress on the frequency specified by the Commission, with apparatus capable of transmitting and receiving messages over a distance of at least 100 miles by day or night.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

47 U.S.C. § 321

Title 47, Telegraphs, Telephones, and Radiotelegraphs

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102