VHF radiotelephone communications shall not be operated while the ship is in the port except in the following circumstances:
1. In case of an emergency, in which the ship radio station must communicate with the coast station or port station and there are no other means to communicate;
2. As required by inspectors;
3. Using only the receiver of the radiotelephone.

The priority of operations for the ship radio communications shall be as follows:
Distress communications;
Emergency communications;
Safety communications;
Communications for radio navigation and positioning;
Communications for navigational safety relating to search and rescue operations being undertaken by aircraft.
Communications relating to the navigation and movement of ships, and weather observations destined for an official meteorological service.
Other communications.

The transmission for distress calls and communications, emergency calls and communications, as well as messages pertaining to emergency positioning-indicating radio beacons of the ship radio station shall be conducted under the instruction of the captain or his designated representative.

While at sea, the ship shall maintain continuous observation in accordance with the following:
Observation on VHF DSC channel 70, if the ship is fitted with a VHF radio installation and, where practicable, on the radiotelephone distress frequency VHF channel 16, and VHF channel 13 relating to navigation safety;
Observation on the distress and safety DSC frequency 2187.5 kHz, if the ship is fitted with an MF radio installation;
Observation on the distress and safety DSC frequencies 2187.5 kHz and 8414.5 kHz, as well as at least one of the distress and safety DSC frequencies 4207.5 kHz, 6312 kHz, 12577 kHz, or 16804.5 kHz, appropriate to the time of day and the geographical position of the ship, if the ship is fitted with an MF/HF radio. This observation may be maintained by means of a scanning receiver;
Observation pertaining to satellite shore-to-ship distress alerts, if the ship is fitted with an IMARSAT ship earth station;
Observation for broadcasts pertaining to maritime safety information on the appropriated frequency or frequencies on which such information is broadcast for the area in which the ship is navigating;
Observation on VHF channel 16, if the ship is equipped with the Non-GMDSS station and, where practicable, observation on the radiotelephone distress frequency 2182 kHz, and VHF channel 13 relating navigation safety.

The radio frequency and operation for distress, emergency, and safety communications shall be conducted in accordance with the regulations of the Communication Operation Directions for Ship Radio Stations.

Any ship radio station receiving an alarm signal shall immediately cease any transmission capable of interfering with the following communications of the aforementioned signal, and maintain careful observations on the frequency.
If ship radio stations receive a distress call from a ship, and there is no response from the coast station, they shall acknowledge receipt at the appropriate time and transfer the distress communication, as well as inform the ship in distress of the responding ship's name and its estimated time of arrival to the site. If the responding ship is unable to go to the site of the ship in distress immediately, the responding ship shall inform the ship in distress of the reason.

When distress traffic has ceased on a frequency which has been used for distress traffic, or complete silence is no longer necessary for a frequency which is being used for the traffic, the ship radio station for controlling the traffic shall transmit on that frequency a message addressed to all radio stations, indicating that normal conditions may be resumed.

A ship radio station shall not transmit a distress signal without approval, or transmit a signal that is easily confused with a genuine distress signal.
If the aforementioned situation occurs, it shall be handled in accordance with the Communication Operation Directions for Ship Radio Stations.

During its voyage, a ship encountering icebergs, flotage, storm and any hazards potentially endangering damage to other vessels, the ship shall inform the nearest coast station and nearby ships of the aforementioned situation by means of safety communications.

The emergency operation procedure for distress and safety radio communications equipment shall be clearly posted on the navigating bridge.