Intro
Operation
Customer
Assistance
Warranty
Notice
Main Icons
Secondary Icons
Caution
Warning
Installation
Customer
Assistance
59
Nothing
Comes Close to a Cobra
®
Radiotelephone Calls
•
Boaters may make and receive radiotelephone calls to and from any number on the telephone
network by using the services of public coast stations . Calls can be made — for a fee —
between your radio and telephones on land, sea and in the air . See the Appendix for the
public correspondence (marine operator) channels .
If you plan to use these services, consider registering with the operator of the public
coast station that you plan to work through . These services can provide you with detailed
information and procedures to follow .
NOTICE
You may disclose privileged information during a radiotelephone call . Keep in mind
that your transmission is
NOT
private, as it is on a regular telephone . Both sides of the
conversation are being broadcast and can be heard by anyone who has a radio and tunes
to the channel you are using .
Intro
Operation
Customer
Assistance
Warranty
Notice
Main Icons
Secondary Icons
Caution
Warning
Installation
Customer
Assistance
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
Intro
Operation
Customer
Assistance
Warranty
Notice
Main Icons
Secondary Icons
Caution
Warning
Installation
Customer
Assistance
VHF Marine Radio Protocols
58 English
Radiotelephone Calls
Emergency Messages and
Distress Procedure
Emergency Messages and Distress Procedure
•
The ability to summon assistance in an emergency is the primary reason to have a VHF
marine radio . The marine environment can be unforgiving and what may initially be a
minor problem can rapidly develop into a situation beyond your control .
The coast guard monitors Channel 16, responds to all distress calls, and coordinates
all search and rescue efforts . Depending on the availability of other capable vessels or
commercial assistance operators in your vicinity, coast guard or coast guard auxiliary craft
may be dispatched .
In any event, communicate with the coast guard as soon as you experience difficulties and
before your situation becomes an emergency . Use the emergency message procedures
only after your situation has become grave or you are faced with a sudden danger
threatening life or property and requiring immediate help . Use Channel 16 to communicate
your emergency message . Make sure you transmit on high power . If you are merely out of
gas, do not send an emergency message . Drop your anchor and call a friend or marina to
bring the fuel you need or to give you a tow .
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 .
MAYDAY
PAN
SECURITE
Emergency Messages and
Distress Procedure
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