# The Merchant Shipping (Radio Installations) Regulations 1998, Regulation 10: Installation of a distress panel

Extent: E+W+S+N.I.

(1) In every passenger ship to which this regulation applies a distress panel shall be installed at the conning position.
(2) A distress panel shall—
(a) contain either—
(i) a single button for all radio communication installations on board; or
(ii) a separate button for each radio communication installation on board,
which, when pressed, initiates a distress alert using all radio communication installations required on board for that purpose;
(b) clearly and visually indicate whenever any such button or buttons mentioned in sub-paragraph (a) above have been pressed; and
(c) provide visual and aural indication of any distress alert or alerts received on board and indicate through which radio communication service the distress alert or alerts have been received.
(3) Means shall be provided to prevent inadvertent activation of the button or buttons on the distress panel.
(4) If the satellite EPIRB is used as the secondary means of initiating a distress alert pursuant to these Regulations and is not capable of being remotely activated, an additional EPIRB shall be installed in the wheelhouse near the conning position.
(5) Information on the ship’s position shall be continuously and automatically provided to all relevant radio communication equipment included in the initial distress alert when the button or buttons on the distress panel is pressed.

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Source: https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/1998/2070/regulation/10 (the official version)
Page: https://openlegislation.uk/merchant-shipping-radio-installations-regulations-1998/regulation-10
Contains public sector information licensed under the Open Government Licence v3.0. Source: legislation.gov.uk, The National Archives.