[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 47, Volume 5]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 47CFR80.91]

[Page 32-33]
 
                       TITLE 47--TELECOMMUNICATION
 
                         COMMISSION (CONTINUED)
 
PART 80--STATIONS IN THE MARITIME SERVICES--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart C--Operating Requirements and Procedures
 
Sec. 80.91  Order of priority of communications.

    (a) The order of priority of radiotelegraph communications is as 
follows:
    (1) Distress calls including the international distress signal for 
radiotelegraphy, the international radiotelegraph alarm signal, the 
international radiotelephone alarm signal, distress messages and 
distress traffic.
    (2) Communications preceded by the international radiotelegraph 
urgency signal.
    (3) Communications preceded by the international radiotelegraphy 
safety signal.
    (4) Communications relative to radio direction-finding bearings.

[[Page 33]]

    (5) Communications relative to the navigation and safe movement of 
aircraft.
    (6) Communications relative to the navigation, movements, and needs 
of ships, including weather observation messages destined for an 
official meteorological service.
    (7) Government communications for which priority right has been 
claimed.
    (8) Service communications relating to the working of the 
radiocommunication service or to communications previously transmitted.
    (9) All other communications.
    (b) The order of priority of radiotelephone communications is as 
follows:
    (1) Distress calls including the international distress signal for 
radiotelephony, the international radiotelephone alarm signal, distress 
messages and distress traffic.
    (2) Communications preceded by the international radiotelephone 
urgency signal, or known to the station operator to consist of one or 
more urgent messages concerning the safety of a person, aircraft or 
other mobile unit.
    (3) Communications preceded by the international radiotelephone 
safety signal, or known to the station operator to consist of one or 
more messages concerning the safety of navigation or important 
meteorological warnings.
    (4) Communications known by the station operator to consist of one 
or more messages relative to the navigation, movements and needs of 
ships, including weather observation messages destined for an official 
meteorological service.
    (5) Government communications for which priority right has been 
claimed.
    (6) All other communications.