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Nothing
Comes Close to a Cobra
®
Emergency Messages and
Distress Procedure
Marine Emergency Signals
The three (3) spoken international emergency signals are:
The distress signal
MAYDAY
is used to indicate that a station is threatened by grave
and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.
The urgency signal
PAN
is used when the safety of the vessel or person is in
jeopardy. (This signal is properly pronounced pahn.)
The safety signal
SECURITE
is used for messages about the safety of navigation or
important weather warnings. (This signal is properly pronounced see-cure-ee-tay.)
When using an international emergency signal, the appropriate signal is to be
spoken three (3) times prior to the message.
If You Hear a Distress Call
You must give any message beginning with one (1) of these signals priority over
any other messages. ALL stations MUST remain silent on Channel 16 for the
duration of the emergency unless the message relates directly to the emergency.
If you hear a distress message from a vessel, stand by your radio. If it is not
answered, YOU should answer. If the distressed vessel is not nearby, wait a short
time for others who may be closer to acknowledge. Even if you cannot render direct
assistance, you may be in a position to relay the message.
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
MAYDAY
PAN
SECURITE
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