Distress — Mayday

Use only when grave and imminent danger threatens vessel or life. Keep the message short, slow, and clear.

Spoken format (VHF ch 16 / MF 2182 kHz)

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY THIS IS [vessel name, three times] MAYDAY [vessel name] CALLSIGN [callsign]  MMSI [number] POSITION [lat/long or bearing+distance from landmark] NATURE OF DISTRESS [e.g. on fire, sinking, man overboard] ASSISTANCE REQUIRED NUMBER OF PERSONS ONBOARD ANY OTHER INFORMATION OVER

DSC distress (Rule 31 / SOLAS Ch IV)

1. Lift the red cover and press the DSC distress button for ≥5 seconds.
2. If time permits, select the nature of distress before transmission.
3. Immediately follow with a spoken Mayday on VHF 16 or MF 2182 kHz.

Urgency and safety

• PAN-PAN (×3) — urgency. Safety of vessel or person at risk but not immediate grave danger.
• SÉCURITÉ (×3) — safety. Navigational or meteorological warning.

If you are in distress and cannot send a message, activate the EPIRB and the SART. The EPIRB transmits your identity and position to Cospas-Sarsat; the SART shows your position on nearby radar.