For Example
11
Nothing comes close to a Cobra
®
Emergency Messages
And Distress Procedure
10
English
Emergency Messages
And Distress Procedure
Marine Distress Procedure
Speak slowly — clearly — calmly.
1. Make sure your radio is On.
2. Select VHF Channel 16.
3. Press Talk button and say:
“MAYDAY — MAYDAY — MAYDAY.”
(Or “PAN — PAN — PAN,”
or “SECURITE — SECURITE — SECURITE.”)
4. Say:
“THIS IS [your vessel name or call sign].”
5. Say:
“MAYDAY (or “PAN” or “SECURITE”)
[your vessel name or call sign].
6. Tell where you are:
(what navigational aids or landmarks are near).
7. State the nature of your distress.
8. State the kind of assistance needed.
9. Give number of persons aboard and conditions of any injured.
10.Estimate present seaworthiness of your vessel.
11.Briefly describe your vessel (length, type, color, hull).
12.Say:
“I WILL BE LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16.”
13.End message by saying:
“THIS IS [your vessel name or call sign] OVER.”
14.Release Talk button and listen. Someone should answer.
If not, repeat the call, beginning at item 3 above.
Keep the radio nearby. Even after your message has been received, the Coast Guard
can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal for a rescue boat to hone in on.
“Mayday — Mayday — Mayday”
“This is Corsair — Corsair — Corsair” [or “Illinois 1234 AB” three (3) times]
“Mayday Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB)”
“Navy Pier bears 220 degrees magnetic — distance five (5) miles”
“Struck submerged object and flooding — need pump and tow”
“Four adults, three children aboard — no one injured”
“Estimate we will remain afloat one half hour”
“Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB) is 26 foot sloop with blue hull and tan deck house”
“I will be listening on Channel 16”
“This is Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB)
“Over”
It is a good idea to write out a script of the message form and post it where you
and others on your vessel can see it when an emergency message needs to be sent.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Protocols
