 By February 1904, the Marconi Wireless Company required all its operators to use CQD for a ship in distress or for requiring URGENT assistance.In the early morning of 23 January 1909, whilst sailing into New York from Liverpool, RMS "Republic" collided with the Italian liner SS "Florida" in fog off the island of Nantucket, Massachusetts, United States.Radio Operator Jack Binns sent the CQD distress signal by wireless transmission.