False distress alerts.

§ 80.334 False distress alerts. A distress alert is false if it was transmitted without any indication that a mobile unit or person was in distress and required immediate assistance. Transmitting a false distress alert is prohibited and may be subject to the provisions of part 1, subpart A of this chapter if that alert: (a) Was transmitted intentionally; (b) Was not cancelled in accordance with § 80.335; (c) Could not be verified as a result of either the ship's failure to keep watch on appropriate frequencies in accordance with § 80.1123 or subpart G of this part, or its failure to respond to calls from the U.S. Coast Guard; (d) Was repeated; or (e) Was transmitted using a false identity. [68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]