SOS is the commonly used description for the International Morse code distress signal (• • • - - - • • •). This distress signal was first adopted by the German government in 1905, and became the worldwide standard when it was included in the second International Radiotelegraphic Convention, and became effective on July 1, 1908.
Royal Mail marks this centenary with a set of 6 stamps showing Rescue at Sea, by lifeboats and air-sea rescue helicopters.
1st class - Barra Island, Outer Hebrides
46p - Appledore, Devon
48p - Portland, Dorset
54p - St Ives, Cornwall
69p - Selsey, Dorset
78p Tenby, Pembrokeshire
Issue Date: 13 March 2008
