Please be advise that  MSC 106 approved the revised Procedure for responding to DSC distress alerts by ships, as set out in the annex, prepared by the Sub-Committee on Navigation, Communications and Search and Rescue (NCSR), at its ninth session (21 to 30 June 2022).

This circular contains a procedure to be followed by radio personnel on board ships when responding to VHF, MF and HF distress alerts, in accordance with chapter IV of the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea, 1974. Flow diagrams 1 and 2 in the annex are recommended to be displayed on ships' bridges as A4 size posters

This circular becomes effective on 1 January 2024, superseding COMSAR/Circ.25 as from that date.