In the world of maritime distress calls, SOS has become a universal signal for help. But before SOS came into common use, there was another distress call that was widely recognized and used by ships in need of assistance. The distress call that predates SOS is CQD. CQD was first introduced in 1904 and stands for "Come Quick, Danger." It was primarily used by British ships to signal that they were in immediate danger and required urgent assistance. However, the problem with CQD was that it was not as easy to understand as SOS, which led to confusion and misinterpretation of distress signals. In 1906, the International Radiotelegraphic Convention established SOS as the official distress call. SOS is a Morse code signal consisting of three dots, three dashes, and three dots, which is easy to recognize and understand even by those unfamiliar with Morse code. SOS quickly gained popularity and became the standard distress call used by ships around the world. Its simplicity and effectiveness made it the go-to signal for ships in trouble, ensuring a swift response from nearby vessels or rescue services. Despite the widespread adoption of SOS, CQD continued to be used by some ships for a period of time, leading to further confusion in distress situations. Eventually, CQD fell out of favor and was replaced entirely by SOS as the international standard distress call. Today, SOS remains the universal distress signal recognized by all maritime authorities and rescue services. It is used not only by ships but also by aircraft and individuals in distress situations. For more information on distress calls and maritime safety protocols, visit the International Maritime Organization's website at www.imo.org. Stay informed and stay safe on the water by familiarizing yourself with the proper distress signals and procedures in case of emergency. Remember, in times of distress at sea, SOS is the signal that can save lives. Make sure you know how to use it correctly and confidently if ever faced with a crisis on the water.

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