Sec.  80.327   Urgency signals.

   (a) The urgency signal indicates that the calling station has a very urgent
   message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship, aircraft, or other
   vehicle, or the safety of a person. The urgency signal must be sent only on
   the authority of the master or person responsible for the mobile station.

   (b) In radiotelegraphy, the urgency signal consists of three repetitions of
   the group XXX, sent with the individual letters of each group, and the
   successive groups clearly separated from each other. It must be transmitted
   before the call.

   (c) In radiotelephony, the urgency signal consists of three oral repetitions
   of the group of words PAN PAN transmitted before the call.

   (d) The urgency signal has priority over all other communications except
   distress. All mobile and land stations which hear it must not interfere with
   the transmission of the message which follows the urgency signal.

   [ 51 FR 31213 , Sept. 2, 1986, as amended at  52 FR 35245 , Sept. 18, 1987]