What should a vessel do if it receives a distress call?

When a vessel receives a distress call, confirming the legitimacy of the call before taking action is vital to ensure a proper response. This step helps to determine whether the situation is genuine or a potential hoax, which can prevent unnecessary deployment of resources and potential risks to other vessels and personnel.

In maritime communication, distress calls, such as those transmitted via VHF radio, are critical for safety at sea. By confirming the call, crew members can accurately assess the urgency and specifics of the situation, ensuring that assistance is directed to those in actual need.

Taking immediate action without verification could lead to a misallocation of resources or even endanger the responding vessel if the distress call turns out to be false. Therefore, the process begins with ensuring the call is legitimate to ensure that safety protocols are followed effectively.