JP 3-50 National Search and Rescue Manual Vol I - US Navy

World Communications handle most communications for merchant
ships worldwide. Certain stations broadcast a "Traffic List"
every 2 hours, copied by many merchant ships. If a maritime
SAR Coordinator or SMC is unable to contact a ship directly,
assistance from a commercial station may be obtained by
notifying either New York or San Francisco RCCs. That RCC can
contact the commercial radio station and request that the
ship's call sign be included in the next traffic list. If the
ship does not establish contact after two traffic list
broadcasts, the SAR Coordinator should begin the process
again.
2. Ships equipped with INMARSAT terminals may be contacted
immediately by voice or TELEX. If desired, INMARSAT can alert
all ships in an area simultaneously. Information on
procedures and participating ships is available from COMSAT
General Corporation, 950 L'Enfant Plaza S.W., Washington, D.C.
20024.
3. Merchant ships under way in United States harbors and
waterways monitor bridge-to-bridge or vessel traffic system
frequencies.
C. Small craft, such as fishing vessels and pleasure craft,
normally communicate on MF voice and VHF-FM voice. Only commercial
boats carrying passengers for hire are required to guard 2182 kHz
continuously. If initial attempts to contact fishing boats or pleasure
craft on 2182 kHz or 156.8 MHz (channel 16 FM) are unsuccessful, the
following voice frequencies may be used:
1. 2003 kHz, Great Lakes.
2. 2635 kHz, all areas.
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