FCC ID: K6630283X3S
IC ID: 511B-30283X3S
GX5000S / GX5500S Operating Manual
1PM, setup as in previous section and confirm the alert is heard.
10.7 EMERGENCY (CHANNEL 16 USE)
Channel 16 is known as the Hail and Distress Channel. An emergency is defined as a
threat to life or property. In such instances, be sure the transceiver is on and set to
CHANNEL 16. Then use the following procedure:
1. Press the microphone push-to-talk switch and say “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This
is , , ” (your vessel’s name).
2. Then repeat once: “Mayday, ” (your vessel’s name).
3. Now report your position in latitude/longitude, or by giving a true or magnetic bearing
(state which) to a well-known landmark such as a navigation aid or geographic
feature such as an island or harbor entry.
4. Explain the nature of your distress (sinking, collision, aground, fire, heart attack,
life-threatening injury, etc.).
5. State the kind of assistance your desire (pumps, medical aid, etc.).
6. Report the number of persons aboard and condition of any injured.
7. Estimate the present seaworthiness and condition of your vessel.
8. Give your vessel’s description: length, design (power or sail), colour and other
distinguishing marks. The total transmission should not exceed 1 minute.
9. End the message by saying “OVER.” Release the microphone button and listen.
10. If there is no answer, repeat the above procedure. If there is still no response, try
another channel.
10.8 CALLING ANOTHER VESSEL (CHANNEL 16 OR 9)
Channel 16 may be used for initial contact (hailing) with another vessel.
However, its most important use is for emergency and distress messages. This channel
must be monitored at all times except when actually using another channel.
It is monitored by the European, U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards and by other vessels.
Use of channel 16 for hailing must be limited to initial contact only. Calling should not
exceed 30 seconds, but may be repeated 3 times at 2-minute intervals. In areas of heavy
radio traffic, congestion on channel 16 resulting from its use as a hailing channel can be
reduced significantly in U.S. waters by using channel 9 as the initial contact (hailing)
channel for non-emergency communications. Here, also, calling time should not exceed 30
seconds but may be repeated 3 times at 2-minute intervals.
Prior to making contact with another vessel, refer to the channel charts in this manual, and
select an appropriate channel for communications after initial contact. For example,
Vertex Standard Co., Ltd.
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