·
Use “MAYDAY” ONLY if IMMEDIATE assistance is
needed – with imminent danger of loss of life and/or of
vessel.
·
Else use “PAN PAN” [pahn-pahn] to request
assistance, boat is NOT DISTRESSED
·
Else use “SECURITÉ” [seh-cure-ee-tay] to provide
warning to other vessels of danger
1.
Make sure the VHF radio is ON.
2.
Select VHF Channel 16.
3.
Press and HOLD microphone button.
4.
Say: “MAYDAY - MAYDAY - MAYDAY”
5.
Say: “THIS IS: {boat name}, {boat name}, {boat name}”
6.
Say: “MAYDAY: {boat name}”
7.
TELL WHERE YOU ARE
What navigational
aids or landmarks are near?
or, What is
your GPS Latitude and Longitude?
8.
STATE THE NATURE OF YOUR DISTRESS.
9.
GIVE NUMBER OF ADULTS AND CHILDREN ABOARD.
GIVE CONDITIONS
OF ANY INJURED.
10.
ESTIMATE PRESENT SEAWORTHINESS OF THE BOAT.
11. BRIEFLY
DESCRIBE THE BOAT:
“US
Registration {number}; Length __ feet;
Draft __ feet;
{boat manufacturer}, {boat color};
{boat type};
{motor type and size}; {fiberglass/wood/etc.}.
Anything else you
think will help the rescuers to find you.
12.
Say: “I WILL BE LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16”
13.
End Message by saying: “THIS IS {boat name}. OVER”
14.
Release microphone button and listen; Someone should answer.
IF THEY DO NOT ANSWER, REPEAT CALL, BEGINNING AT ITEM 3. IF there is still no answer, switch to another channel and begin again:
IF YOU HEAR A MAYDAY, AND NOBODY RESPONDS, YOU MAY RELAY THE CALL. Use similar procedure, say: “MAYDAY RELAY”, etc.