Ok, here is a direct observation - last weekend we were sailing offshore
between Cape Fear and the St. John's River and heard a VHF CH 16 Coast Guard
"Pan Pan Pan. We have received a DSC distress signal from an unidentified
vessel at an unknown location. All vessels are requested to report any
information . . .etc." Or words more or less to that effect. This was
repeated a few times but then that was the end of it. So, the Coast Guard
*is* listening for DSC emergency signals at at least some locations. And,
the DSC service is useless unless the owner goes to the trouble to register
it. In this case, who knows -- childsplay, drunken tomfoolery, a mistake,
or maybe even a legitimate distress call from an unregistered radio.
Scott

"Dave" wrote in message
...
On Wed, 25 Jan 2006 00:17:20 GMT, "Roger Long" said:

However, I'm wondering. Will the USCG just ignore calls like this
thinking, "Some kid hit a button again.", or wait for direct contact?

Dunno about the model you looked at, but on mine, at least, you have to
lift
a plastic tab to get at the button, so a kid has to be trying if he's to
hit
the button.