The Basics

Cited from Federal Rules for Marine Radios 47 CFR Part 80.116

Maintain a watch while the radio is turned on.  Monitoring the Calling and Distress Channel 16 (2182 kHz SSB) is compulsory.

Choose the correct channel when communicating either ship-to-ship or ship-to-shore.

Limit the preliminary call to 30 seconds.  If no answer, wait 2 minutes before repeating the call.

Limit ship-to-ship conversations to three minutes and the content to ship’s business.

Use accepted prowords (listed below, along with the phonetic alphabet)

Avoid radio checks, as most are unnecessary.  Do not call the US Coast Guard.  If a check is required, use a working channel to call a vessel that is known to be listening.  Radio checks are prohibited on Channel 16.

Distress and Safety Calls

As part of the marine safety and communication system, emergency help is available on Channel 16.  Emergency situations can be categorized as distress, urgency and safety.  Always speak slowly and deliberately.  The signals for these calls and their descriptions follow:

Distress: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.”  This is the International Distress Signal and is an imperative call for assistance.  It is used only when a life or vessel is in immediate danger.

Urgency: “PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN” (pronounced PAHN-PAHN).  This in the International Urgency Signal and is used when a vessel or person is in some jeopardy of a degree less than would be indicated by Mayday.

Safety: “SECURITE’, SECURITE’, SECURITE’” (pronounced SAY-CURE-IT-TAY).  This is the International Safety Signal and is a message about some aspect of navigational safety or is a weather warning.

Most boaters never have the need to make a distress call but all should be familiar with the proper procedure.  When needed, there will not be time to learn it.  Distress calls are initiated on Channel 16 to be heard by the Coast Guard and other ship and shore stations within range.  If a distress call is received, cease all transmission.  All vessels having knowledge of distress traffic, and which cannot themselves assist, are forbidden to transmit on the frequency of the distress traffic.  They should, however, listen and follow the situation until it is evident that assistance is being provided.

MAYDAY! MAYDAY! MAYDAY! — Sending a Distress Call

(Excerpts from U.S. Coast Guard Publication, Maritime Telecommunications)

You may only have seconds to send a distress call. Here’s what you should do…

Mayday Call Procedure

Transmit, in this order:

1.

If you have an MF/HF radiotelephone tuned to 2182 kHz, send the radiotelephone alarm signal if one is available.  If you have a VHF marine radio, tune it to Channel 16.  Unless you know you are outside VHF range of shore and ships, call on Channel 16 first.

2. Distress signal “MAYDAY”, spoken three times.

3. The words “THIS IS”, spoken once.

4. Name of vessel in distress (spoken three times) and call sign or boat registration number, spoken once.

5. Repeat “MAYDAY” and name of vessel, spoken once.

6. Give position of vessel by latitude or longitude or by bearing (state true or magnetic) and distance to a well-know landmark such as a navigational aid or small island, or in any terms which will assist a responding station in locating the vessel in distress. Include any information on vessel movement such as course, speed and destination.

7. Nature of distress (sinking, fire etc.).

8. Kind of assistance desired.

9. Number of persons onboard.

10. Any other information which might facilitate rescue, such as length or tonnage of vessel, number of persons needing medical attention, color hull, cabin, masks, etc.

11. The word “OVER”

Stay by the radio if possible.  Even after the message has been received, the Coast Guard can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal on which a rescue boat or aircraft can home.

Mayday Call Example

“MAYDAY-MAYDAY-MAYDAY”
“THIS IS BLUE DUCK—BLUE DUCK—BLUE DUCK WA1234”
“MAYDAY BLUE DUCK”
“CAPE HENRY LIGHT BEARS 185 DEGREES MAGNETIC, DISTANCE 2 MILES”
“STRUCK SUBMERGED OBJECT”
“NEED PUMPS, MEDICAL ASSISTANCE AND TOW”
“THREE ADULTS, TWO CHILDREN ONBOARD”
“ONE PERSON COMPOUND FRACTURE OF ARM”
“ESTIMATE CAN REMAIN AFLOAT TWO HOURS”
“BLUE DUCK IS THIRTY TWO FOOT CABIN CRUISER-WHITE HULL-BLUE DECK HOUSE”
“OVER”

Repeat at intervals until an answer is received.

If You Hear a Distress Call...

If you hear a distress message from a vessel and it is not answered, then you must answer. If you are reasonably sure that the distressed vessel is not in your vicinity, you should wait a short time for others to acknowledge.

Radio Abuse

VHF marine radio is a vital communications link for the boating community and abuse of the radio seriously affects the safety of all boaters.  There are FCC monitoring stations that, along with the Coast Guard, are alert for understandable language and correct operation of marine stations.  Sophisticated equipment provides for tracking violators through “voice prints” of transmissions made on the radio over the entire VHF radio spectrum.

Marine Radio is not Citizens Band (CB): Phrases such as “Hey good buddy,” “Come on back,” “I copy,” and “That’s a big 10-4,” are not only frowned upon by the authorities, but are illegal.

“Over and Out”: The most commonly misused procedure words are “Over and out.”  “Over” means that you expect a reply.  “Out” means you are finished and do not expect a reply.  It is contradictory to say “Over and Out.”

U.S. Coast Guard List of Transmissions which are Non-protocol, Illegal or Can be Easily Misunderstood*

Do Not

·Use profane or obscene language
· Use unauthorized prowords, abbreviations and procedures
· Speak using extremes of voice pitch
· Slur syllables or clip your speech
· Use phrases such as “would you believe”, “be informed”, or “be advised” which are unprofessional and incorrect voice radio procedure
· Key the microphone until you are ready to transmit
· Use “10 Codes” such as those used by many law enforcement agencies

* U.S. Coast Guard Small Boat Seamanship Manual

Procedure for Calling a Ship by Radio*

You may use Channel 16 to call a ship or shore station, but if you do so, you must be brief! For example:

Blue Duck: “MARY JANE, THIS IS BLUE DUCK” (the name of the vessel being called may be said 2 or 3 times if conditions warrant).

Mary Jane: “BLUE DUCK, THIS IS MARY JANE. REPLY 68” (or some other working channel)

*USCG Maritime Telecommunications

Phonetic Alphabet

The phonetic alphabet should be used for radio transmissions in plain language or in code. If you need to spell out a word you should say, “I SPELL” after pronouncing the word and then spell it using the phonetic alphabet.

Numerals should be pronounced:

Accepted Procedure Words

OPERATING SIGNALS, PROSIGNS AND PROWORDS*

* ANNEX C, NTP 8© US Navy Telecommunications Procedures