How is ship to shore transmission of a Distress priority message in most SESs initiated?

Correct Answer: Option A — By provision of a "Distress button" or code in the SES.

Inmarsat Ship Earth Stations (SES) are designed for rapid distress alerting. The dedicated distress button or specific distress code bypasses standard traffic protocols, immediately routing the alert to the appropriate Rescue Coordination Center (RCC) via the Land Earth Station (LES) with the highest priority, as mandated by IMO GMDSS requirements.