The distress signal “Mayday,” spoken once. Note: If a radiotelephone alarm signal device
The identification of the craft. is available, it should be activated for 30- to
Particulars of its position (latitude and longitude, 60-seconds before transmitting the above.
or true bearing and distance in miles from a known
Control of Distress Traffic
geographical position.
The nature of the distress and the kind of assis-
The FCC Rules, following international
tance required.
procedures, state that the vessel in distress
It is extremely important that all portions
controls the distress traffic. In practice, if the
of the distress call and message be spoken
Coast Guard is active in the rescue they will
slowly and distinctly, clearly pronouncing
control the frequency.
each word. Having to repeat transmissions
The controlling station will normally an-
slows down the rescue operation.
nounce a condition of radio silence, but
If you transmit a distress message and
whether or not such is formally established,
receive no reply, send it again after a brief
a station having knowledge of the distress
wait. If no response is offered after several
situation is forbidden to transmit on the fre-
transmissions, try another channel. Note:
quency being used. Malicious or willful in-
You may be requested to transmit a “long
terference is subject to severe penalties. Radio
count” –counting numbers from one to ten
silence is imposed by the controlling station
and back—or other signal for purposes of
by announcing, “SEELONCE MAYDAY.” If
direction finding.
necessary, any other station may announce
“SEELONCE DISTRESS,” but this should be
Response to a Distress Call
done only with great care to avoid causing
If you hear a Mayday call on Channel 16 interference to important traffic on the fre-
adio
or 2182 kHz, do not immediately answer. quency. The end of radio silence is announced
The call may have been heard directly by the by the transmission of the following:
Coast Guard, or other authorities, or by an- The signal, “Mayday,” spoken once.
ine R
other vessel closer and better able than you The words, “Hello all stations,” spoken three times.
ar
to render assistance. Listen carefully, but do The words, “This is.”
M
not transmit. However, after a few moments, The call sign, or other ID, of the station making the
if you do not hear anyone else better able to announcement, spoken three times.
help, call the distressed vessel and let them The time of the announcement.
know that their call has been heard. The pro- The name and call sign, or other ID, of the vessel
cedure is as follows: that was in distress.
The distress signal “Mayday,” spoken once. The words, “SEELONCE FINEE,” or “PRU-DONCE.”
omms
The call sign, or other ID, of the vessel sending the
Pan Pan: Urgent Transmissions C
distress message, spoken three times.
The words, “This is.”
In emergencies that do not bear the import
The call sign, or other identification, of the station
of a distress call and message, an urgent
acknowledging receipt (i.e., your vessel), spoken
transmission can be broadcast. The urgency
three times.
signal “PAN PAN” (pronounced“pawn
The word, “Received.”
pawn” and spoken three times before the
The word, “Mayday.
call) indicates that the message that follows
Following this, you should give your posi-
concerns a person’s safety, or that of a ship,
tion, your speed toward the distressed ves-
aircraft or other vehicle. A PAN PAN an-
sel, and your estimated time of arrival. You
nouncement can be a situation assessment
should also take immediate action to relay
and not necessarily a call for assistance. It’s
information about the situation to the Coast
frequently used by the Coast Guard to advise
Guard and to any other vessels that might be
all vessels to be on the lookout for an over-
in better positions to assist. The official pro-
due craft or a person lost overboard.
cedure is as follows:
Securite: Safety Transmissions
The signal, “Mayday,” spoken three times. The lowest level of priority transmissions
The words, “This is.” is the safety message. It is preceded by the
The call sign, or other identification, of the trans- word “SECURITE” (pronounced securitay”)
mitting station, spoken three times. to preface messages concerning the safety of
navigation or important weather warnings.
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