You probably already know the basics of making a distress call on your VHF or marine SSB radio. But if something happens to you, will your crew be able to place the call?
Part of every crew orientation should have a radio operation session and every member of the crew should be allowed to practice using the radio. If your mate or younger crewmembers are reluctant to try, encourage them to at least read the radio manual and make a simple radio check. Basic things the crew should know or be able to do:
- Turn the radio on and off, including any circuit breakers
- Adjust the squelch
- Know the proper hailing and distress frequency
- Change the station or channel
- Operate the microphone
For a complete list of VHF channels see the MariSafe Gear Owner's Guides US VHF Channels & Frequencies and US VHF Channel Usage.
Levels of Distress
Different situations call for one of three different radio calls—both you and your crewmembers should know these three and be able to use the proper wording in an emergency.
- Security, Security, Security (pronounced see-cure-i-TAY) repeated three times is the lowest form of notice to other mariners in your area that a problem may exist. There is no immediate danger to life or property—in fact a Security call is often made to prevent an accident before it happens. Approaching a bridge at a crowded bend in the waterway when your transmission is slipping and you lack maneuverability would be a good example. Or perhaps your engine has died and you were forced to anchor in a major channel, creating a hazard to other boaters. In these two cases you might send a Security message on VHF channel 16 to warn other boaters to give you room.
- Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan (pronounced PAWN-PAWN) repeated three times is for a more dangerous situation. Here, life is not yet at stake but the conditions for the incident to become life threatening are real. You are fighting a fire on board or your boat is taking on water and you’re pumping as fast as you can—even though no one is hurt and the situation is nominally under control, you want someone to know where you are and what is happening. If things get worse, help has already been alerted.
- Mayday, Mayday, Mayday repeated three times is the universal notification of immediate and real threat to life. It's from the French word M'aidez, a command to “Help Me!” A Mayday call should only be issued when a medical condition, flooding, fire or other accident has gone out of control and people may die as a result.
Information to be Given
When making a distress call over the radio, it's important for you or your crew to provide enough information to other boaters and the US Coast Guard so they can assist you. Ideally, each call is in the same format so that the information flows well. After the microphone has been keyed and the Security, Pan-Pan or Mayday has been repeated three times, follow this universal format:
- Give the name of your boat three times
- Give your location—tell how you arrived at this position, whether by visual landmarks, DR, Loran coordinates or GPS lat/lon. A direction and distance from a point of land is the least desirable.
- Give the nature of your distress: fire, injury, flooding—what’s wrong and how bad is the damage? Are peopl
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