If you’ve been wondering “what does SOS stand for?” The truth is that it doesn’t stand for anything. Of course a traditional SOS is still recognized and will be responded to as normal if received by the Coast Guard or other emergency services, but it is technically an outdated method of requesting aid. Many people in the general population are surprised to learn that SOS was replaced by the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System back in 1999. This came a year after it had become the choice of the German government for maritime emergencies.

The International Radio Telegraphic Convention chose the SOS signal in 1906. Though the SOS signal is well known in most circles these days, its original use was strictly maritime. Most of the general populace believes that “SOS” signifies “Save Our Ship.” Casual students of radio history are aware that the use of “SOS” was preceded by “CQD.” Why were these signals adopted? When were they used? History of the SOS Signal There is much mystery and misinformation surrounding the origin and use of maritime distress calls. Prior to 1906, the most widely recognized distress signal in use was CQD.Harmony asks “Do the letters in the term SOS represent three words? If so, could you let me know what they are?” Thanks to Neal McEwen for allowing us to use some information from his articles “SOS”, “CQD” and the History of Maritime Distress Calls. In Morse code, SOS is sent as an unbroken sequence of letters with no spaces (i.e., as. SOS was chosen because it is easy to send and could not be confused with other messages. Subsequently, the meanings 'Save Our Souls' and 'Save Our Ship' were ascribed to SOS, but these are both unofficial definitions. The letters SOS were adopted as the international distress signal in Morse code at the International Radiotelegraphic Convention, held in Berlin in 1906. We are sinking three nautical miles southeast of the Portland Head light. The letters SOS are the international distress signal, used by shipping when in immediate danger and widely recognized as a cry for help, whether spoken, sent as a text message, or by flashing a light or arranging objects to spell out the letters.

SOS means 'Save Our Souls' or 'Save Our Ship' It is the international distress signal.

What does sos mean