---
kind: "section"
citation: "47 C.F.R. § 80.334"
title: "47"
number: "80.334"
heading: "False distress alerts."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/47/80.334"
---

# §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](/cfr/47/part1.md), [subpart A](/cfr/47/subpartA.md) of this chapter if that alert:

- (a) Was transmitted intentionally;
- (b) Was not cancelled in accordance with [§ 80.335](/cfr/47/80.335.md);
- (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](/cfr/47/80.1123.md) or [subpart G](/cfr/47/subpartG.md) 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.**

## Notes

### Amendments

[68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]

### Authority

Authority: 47 U.S.C. 151-155, 301-609; 3 U.S.T. 3450, 3 U.S.T. 4726, 12 U.S.T. 2377.

### Source

Source: 51 FR 31213, Sept. 2, 1986, unless otherwise noted.

### Amendments

[68 FR 46968, Aug. 7, 2003]