Vhf Marine Radio Protocols - Cobra MR HH 500 FLT BT EU Owner's Manual

Emergency Messages and
Distress Procedure

VHF Marine Radio Protocols

Introduction
Marine Distress Procedure
Speak slowly — clearly — calmly.
1. Make sure your radio is On.
2. Select 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]," repeated three (3) times.
5. Say:
"MAYDAY (or "PAN" or "SECURITE")
[your vessel name or call sign].
6. Tell where you are:
(what navigational aids or landmarks are nearby).
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 step 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.
50 English
Emergency Messages
and Distress Procedure
VHF Marine Radio Protocols Introduction
For Example
"Mayday — Mayday — Mayday"
"This is Corsair — Corsair — Corsair" [or "IL 1234 AB," repeated three (3) times]
"Mayday Corsair (or IL 1234 AB)"
"Navy Pier bears 220 degrees magnetic — distance 5 miles"
"Struck submerged object and flooding — need pump and tow"
"Four (4) adults, three (3) children aboard — no one injured"
"Estimate we will remain afloat one-half hour"
"Corsair (or IL 1234 AB) is 26 ft sloop with blue hull and tan deck house"
"I will be listening on Channel 16"
"This is Corsair (or IL 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.
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