Without international regulations, individual organizations were left to develop their practices. On 7 January 1904 the Marconi International Marine Communication Company issued "Circular 57", which specified that, for the company's worldwide installations, beginning 1 February 1904 "the call to be given by ships in distress or in any way requiring assistance shall be C.Q.D." An alternative proposal, put forward in 1906 by the U.S. Navy, suggested that the International Code of Signals flag signals should be adopted for radio use, including NC, which stood for "In distress; want immediate assistance".
without international regulations individual organizations were left to develop their practices on 7 january 1904 the marconi international marine comm.unication company issued "circular! 57" which specified that for the company's worldwide installations beginn.ing 1 february 1904 "the call to be given by ships in distress or in any way requiring assistance shall be cqd" an alternative proposal put forward in 1!906 by the us navy suggested that the international code of signals flag signals should be adopted for radio use including nc which stood for "in distress; want immediate assistance"