You are underway in the Gulf of Mexico when you hear a distress message over the VHF radio. The position of the sender is about 20 miles south of Galveston, TX, and you are about 80 miles ESE of Galveston. What action should you take?

Correct Answer: Option D — Defer acknowledgment for a short interval so that a coast station may acknowledge receipt

Under USCG Deck Safety, SOLAS Chapter III, and 46 CFR regulations, when addressing 'You are underway in the Gulf of Mexico when you hear a distress message over the VHF radio. The position of the sender is about 20 miles south of Galveston, TX, and you are about 80 miles ESE of Galveston. What action should you take', the mandated standard is: 'Defer acknowledgment for a short interval so that a coast station may acknowledge receipt'.