---
kind: "section"
citation: "46 C.F.R. § 122.260"
title: "46"
number: "122.260"
heading: "Reports of potential vessel casualty."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/46/122.260"
---

# §122.260. Reports of potential vessel casualty.

- (a) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel shall immediately notify either of the following Coast Guard offices if there is reason to believe the vessel is lost or imperiled:
  - (1) The Coast Guard district rescue coordination center (RCC) cognizant over the area in which the vessel was last operating; or
  - (2) **The Coast Guard search and rescue authority nearest to where the vessel was last operating.**
- (b) Reasons for belief that a vessel is in distress include, but are not limited to, lack of communication with or nonappearance of the vessel.
- (c) The owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent notifying the Coast Guard under [paragraph (a)](#a) of this section, shall provide the name and identification number of the vessel, a description of the vessel, the names or number of individuals on board, and other information that may be requested by the Coast Guard.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority: 46 U.S.C. 2103, 3306, 6101; E.O. 12234, 45 FR 58801, 3 CFR, 1980 Comp., p. 277; DHS Delegation 00170.1, Revision No. 01.2, paragraph (II)(92)(a).

### Source

Source: CGD 85-080, 61 FR 935, Jan. 10, 1996, unless otherwise noted.