Question 1

When should a MAYDAY call be made?

Accepted Answer

When the vessel or a person is in grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance. MAYDAY is the international distress signal, it means GRAVE AND IMMINENT DANGER requiring IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE. Do not use Mayday for less serious situations, use Pan-Pan for urgency (serious but not immediately life-threatening). Misuse of a Mayday call is a criminal offence and wastes SAR resources. If in doubt between Mayday and Pan-Pan, use Mayday, it is better to call and downgrade.

Question 2

What is the correct order of a Mayday voice call and distress message on VHF Channel 16?

Accepted Answer

MAYDAY ×3, THIS IS [name ×3, call sign, MMSI if assigned], MAYDAY [name, call sign, MMSI if assigned], position, distress nature, assistance required, persons aboard, other information, OVER. The distress call begins with MAYDAY spoken three times, followed by THIS IS, the vessel's name spoken three times, its call sign and its MMSI if assigned. The subsequent distress message begins with MAYDAY, followed by the vessel's name, call sign and MMSI if assigned. Give the position, nature of distress, assistance required, number of persons aboard and other relevant information, such as vessel description or intentions to abandon. Finish with OVER. Speak slowly and clearly.

Question 3

How should you give your position in a Mayday call if you do not have GPS?

Accepted Answer

Give bearing and distance from a known landmark or navigational mark, for example, '2 miles south of Portland Bill'.. Position can be given as: latitude and longitude (most precise); OR bearing and distance from a known point ('2 miles south of Portland Bill'); OR description of location ('anchored in Studland Bay'). Never delay a Mayday call because you do not know your exact position, give the best information you have. SAR can work with an approximate position.

Mayday, questions and explanations

When should a MAYDAY call be made?

What is the correct order of a Mayday voice call and distress message on VHF Channel 16?

How should you give your position in a Mayday call if you do not have GPS?

Practise this properly

Mayday, questions and explanations

Questions

When should a MAYDAY call be made?

What is the correct order of a Mayday voice call and distress message on VHF Channel 16?

How should you give your position in a Mayday call if you do not have GPS?

Practise this properly