(a) An owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent of a vessel shall immediately notify either of the following Coast Guard offices if there is reason to believe the vessel is lost or imperiled:
- (1) The Coast Guard district rescue coordination center (RCC) cognizant over the area in which the vessel was last operating; or
- (2) The Coast Guard search and rescue authority nearest to where the vessel was last operating.
- (b) Reasons for belief that a vessel is in distress include, but are not limited to, lack of communication with or nonappearance of the vessel.
- (c) The owner, charterer, managing operator, or agent notifying the Coast Guard under paragraph (a) of this section, shall provide the name and identification number of the vessel, a description of the vessel, the names or number of individuals on board, and other information that may be requested by the Coast Guard.