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
ALTERNATIVELY: Dial either
767 or 999 from any BVI cell phone or
call 494- HELP (4357)
