Systems and processes for initiating a rescue, using peer-to-peer distress alert systems, are described. An exemplar process of initiating, from a distressed vessel, a recue includes: (i) generating an outgoing distress signal that includes a distress signal and distressed vessel location information; (ii) broadcasting the outgoing distress signal to one or more potential rescue vessels located away from the distressed vessel; (iii) receiving, from one or more of the potential rescue vessels, one or more outgoing rescue signals, each of which includes potential rescue vessel location information; (iv) of identifying, using the potential rescue vessel location information from one or more of the potential rescue vessels and vessel location information of the distressed vessel, one or more rescue potential rescue vessels that are suitable for rescuing the distress vessel; and (v) transmitting, from the distressed vessel, a confirmation rescue signal to each of the potential rescue vessels that are suitable for rescuing the distress vessel.