comdtinst m2400.1f - US Coast Guard Response Boat-Medium

E. SAR Coordinating Communications.
1. SAR Operations. In general these are the communications
necessary for coordinating ship and aircraft participation in
SAR operations in the area of a distress incident, including
communications between RCCs and the on scene commander.
2. Distress and Safety Traffic. Distress and safety traffic
frequencies will normally be used for SAR coordinating
communications. Radiotelephony and/or NBDP will be used by
terrestrial or satellite means depending on the ships
capability and the sea area involved.
3. 47 USC 357 specifies that their will be no charge for distress
traffic communications or ship to shore navigational or
meteorological alerts over radio or satellite.