User Manual

MAYDAY

PAN

SECURITE

English

Radiotelephone Calls

Emergency Messages

And Distress Procedure

Nothing Comes Close to a Cobra

Emergency Messages And Distress Procedure

•

The ability to summon assistance in an emergency is the primary reason

to have a VHF marine radio. The marine environment can be unforgiving,

and what may initially be a minor problem can rapidly develop into a

situation beyond your control.

The Coast Guard monitors Channel 16, responds to all distress calls, and coordinates

all search and rescue efforts. Depending on the availability of other capable vessels or

commercial assistance operators in your vicinity, Coast Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary

craft may be dispatched.

In an event, do not communicate with the Coast Guard as soon as you experience

difficulties or before your situation becomes an emergency. Use the emergency

(Distress) message procedures only after your situation has become grave or you are

faced with a sudden danger threatening life or property and requiring immediate help.

Use channel 16 to communicate your emergency message. Make sure you transmit

on high power. If you are merely out of gas, do not send an emergency distress

message. Drop your anchor and call a friend or local marina to bring the fuel you need

or to give you a tow.

Marine Emergency Signals

The three (3) spoken international emergency signals are:

The distress signal MAYDAY is used to indicate that a station is threatened

by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance.

The urgency signal PAN is used when the safety of the vessel or person

is in jeopardy. (This signal is properly pronounced pahn.)

The safety signal SECURITE is used for messages about the safety of navigation or

important weather warnings. (This signal is properly pronounced see-cure-it-tay.)

When using an international emergency signal, the appropriate

signal is to be spoken three (3) times prior to the message.

If You Hear A Distress Call

You must give any message beginning with one (1) of these signals priority

over any other messages. ALL stations MUST remain silent on Channel 16

for the duration of the emergency unless the message relates directly to

the emergency.

If you hear a distress message from a vessel, stand by your radio. If it is

not answered, YOU should answer. If the distressed vessel is not nearby,

wait a short time for others who may be closer to acknowledge. Even if

you cannot render direct assistance, you may be in a position to relay

the message.

VHF Marine Radio Protocols VHF Marine Radio Protocols