47 U.S.C. § 357: Safety information

Summary

Ship captains of U.S. vessels that have radios must send out safety information when they meet dangers like dangerous ice, a floating wreck, a tropical storm, any other direct hazard to navigation, very cold air with gale‑force winds that causes heavy ice to build on the ship’s structures, or winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale when no storm warning was received. They must transmit that information to nearby ships and to the proper authorities on land under rules the Commission sets. Those authorities must quickly tell anyone affected, including foreign authorities, when needed. No U.S. mobile ship or station may charge for sending, receiving, or relaying the safety messages described above that come from U.S. or foreign ships. If a station does charge to receive or forward a required message, the ship must not pay and may ask the Commission to reimburse the charge. Distress messages and replies about saving lives or property at sea are also free. Stations or carriers may provide other free safety services (like chart, weather, navigation aid, or medical help) under Commission rules, which can limit such free service if needed for the public interest.

Title 47, §357

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

(a)Transmission of information concerning safety at sea

The master of every ship of the United States, equipped with radio transmitting apparatus, which meets with dangerous ice, a dangerous derelict, a tropical storm, or any other direct danger to navigation, or encounters subfreezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe ice accretion on superstructures, or winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received, shall cause to be transmitted all pertinent information relating thereto to ships in the vicinity and to the appropriate authorities on land, in accordance with rules and regulations issued by the Commission. When they consider it necessary, such authorities of the United States shall promptly bring the information received by them to the knowledge of those concerned, including interested foreign authorities.

(b)Charges for transmission of safety information

No charge shall be made by any ship or station in the mobile service of the United States for the transmission, receipt, or relay of the information designated in subsection (a) originating on a ship of the United States or of a foreign country.

(c)Reimbursement by Commission

The transmission by any ship of the United States, made in compliance with subsection (a), to any station which imposes a charge for the reception, relay, or forwarding of the required information, shall be free of cost to the ship concerned and any communication charges incurred by the ship for transmission, relay, or forwarding of the information may be certified to the Commission for reimbursement out of moneys appropriated to the Commission for that purpose.

(d)Charges for transmission of distress messages

No charge shall be made by any ship or station in the mobile service of the United States for the transmission of distress messages and replies thereto in connection with situations involving the safety of life and property at sea.

(e)Free services

Notwithstanding any other provision of law, any station or carrier may render free service in connection with situations involving the safety of life and property, including hydrographic reports, weather reports, reports regarding aids to navigation and medical assistance to injured or sick persons on ships and aircraft at sea. All free service permitted by this subsection shall be subject to such rules and regulations as the Commission may prescribe, which rules may limit such free service to the extent which the Commission finds desirable in the public interest.

Notes & Related Subsidiaries

Editorial Notes

Amendments

1965—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 89–121 directed the master of every ship of the United States equipped with radio transmitting apparatus which encounters subfreezing air temperatures associated with gale force winds causing severe ice accretion on superstructures, or winds of force 10 or above on the Beaufort scale for which no storm warning has been received to transmit the pertinent information relating thereto.

Statutory Notes and Related Subsidiaries

Effective Date

Section effective

May 20, 1937, see section 16 of act

May 20, 1937, set out as a note under section 351 of this title.

§357 Safety Information