Types of emergency:
In the unlikely event that you are involved in an emergency stay calm and follow these steps.
You will also have an Emergency Procedure card next to your VHF.
Distress: "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY." This is an International Distress signal and an
imperative call for assistance. It is used only when a life or vessel is considered to be in grave
and imminent danger.
Mayday Relay: used to summon help for a vessel which is either too far offshore to contact the
coastguard directly, without radio capabilities or whose radio has been damaged or destroyed.
Urgency: "PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN" This is the International Urgency Signal and is used
when a vessel or person is in some jeopardy but is not considered to be in grave and imminent
danger.
Medical emergency: "PAN-PAN MEDICO, PAN-PAN MEDICO, PAN-PAN MEDICO" (Pronounced
med-ick-oh). This is an International Urgency Signal that should be used when medical advice
is needed.
Safety: "SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE" (Pronounced Say-cure-it-tay). This is an
International Safety Signal and is a message about some aspect of navigational safety or a
weather warning.
How to issue an emergency message
Select Channel 16 and press transmit button on handset
Say slowly and clearly 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, CALLING ALL
STATIONS This is.... (vessel name)....' and repeat vessel name 3 times
Give position - vessel's position in degrees of latitude and longitude or nautical miles from,
and bearing to, a navigational landmark
Describe emergency - list the problem, the type of assistance needed; number of passengers
aboard (boat length, hull colour and type is also useful)
Wait 1 minute for a response, repeat message
