• Distress Alert System Overhaul
  

By 2006, all vessels must have Digital Selective Calling radios (DSC) to communicate with the Coast Guard. The current short-range analog distress signal - VHF-FM Channel 16 – does not have enough receiving capacity. The overhaul – being carried out in phases – is planned to be implemented starting this year and be ready by 2006. Each DSC radio will be assigned a unique nine-digit identification number so the Coast Guard can identify the vessel and use GPS to determine its location. The radios will cover communications along the entire coastline. At present there are about 60 spots where communication is not possible.


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