Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is used to transmit distress alerts from ships and acknowledgements from coast stations, as well as for other safety calls. DSC uses error detection coding and transmits information such as the vessel's identity and type of call. DSC calls can be distress, safety, or commercial. Receiving stations display the call details and provide alarms for distress or safety calls. DSC operates at different speeds and frequencies depending on the band, and repeats distress calls to increase the chances of detection.