Which term best describes the international satellite-based search and rescue system used by ships?

• A. A weather satellite service
• B. A terrestrial distress network
• C. A satellite-based navigation augmentation program
• D. COSPAS-SARSAT

Answer: (D)

Global satellite-based search and rescue network used by ships is COSPAS-SARSAT. This international cooperative system detects distress beacon signals from ships (and other platforms), relays them via satellites to ground stations, and forwards the location and alert information to rescue authorities, enabling rapid SAR response worldwide. The other options describe services that are unrelated to an international satellite SAR network: weather satellite services provide meteorological data, a terrestrial distress network relies on land-based infrastructure, and a satellite-based navigation augmentation program enhances positioning accuracy rather than coordinating search and rescue.