On the radio, letters and numbers are spoken so that they cannot be confused, even in noise or a weak signal. The international spelling alphabet is used.
Spelling alphabet
A - Alfa, B - Bravo, C - Charlie, D - Delta, E - Echo, F - Foxtrot, G - Golf, H - Hotel, I - India, J - Juliett, K - Kilo, L - Lima, M - Mike, N - November, O - Oscar, P - Papa, Q - Quebec, R - Romeo, S - Sierra, T - Tango, U - Uniform, V - Victor, W - Whiskey, X - X-ray, Y - Yankee, Z - Zulu.
Example: "MARIA" is spoken "Mike, Alfa, Romeo, India, Alfa". If someone says "Please spell" (meaning: say it letter by letter), answer with this alphabet.
How to say numbers
Numbers are spoken digit by digit with this pronunciation:
| Digit | Say | Digit | Say | |---|---|---|---| | 0 | ZERO | 5 | FIFE | | 1 | WUN | 6 | SIX | | 2 | TOO | 7 | SEVEN | | 3 | TREE | 8 | AIT | | 4 | FOWER | 9 | NINER |
Use "DECIMAL" for the decimal point and "TOUSAND" for thousand.
Examples
- Course 045: "Course zero four fife."
- Speed 12.5 knots: "Speed wun too decimal fife knots."
- Time 14:30: "Time wun fower tree zero." (24-hour clock; say whether it is UTC or local time.)
Giving a position
Either by latitude and longitude, or by bearing and distance from a known object ("Bearing 090 degrees, distance 3 miles from Fener Light"). Always say which method you use.
Tip: practise your ship's name, call sign and MMSI aloud until you can say them smoothly.