There are three priority levels on the radio. Each is recognised by its first word, and the order of priority is MAYDAY > PAN-PAN > SECURITE.
The three levels
- MAYDAY (distress): a ship or person is in grave and imminent danger and needs immediate assistance (sinking, fire, man overboard).
- PAN-PAN (urgency): an urgent situation concerning the safety of a ship or person, but without immediate grave danger (engine failure, drifting, stable injury).
- SECURITE (safety): an important navigational or weather warning (dangerous floating object, gale warning).
Pronounced: MAYDAY (may-day), PAN-PAN (pan-pan), SECURITE (say-cure-ee-tay).
Order of a MAYDAY call
- MAYDAY (three times)
- THIS IS + name of vessel (three times) + call sign or MMSI
- MAYDAY + name of vessel
- Position (latitude/longitude or bearing and distance from a known point)
- Nature of distress (fire, collision, sinking...)
- Assistance required
- Number of persons on board
- Any other useful information (life rafts, weather, vessel length...)
Example (shortened): "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY. THIS IS motor vessel MARIA, MARIA, MARIA, call sign ... MAYDAY MARIA. My position is ... I am on fire. I require immediate assistance. Fifteen persons on board. Over."
Silence procedures
- SEELONCE MAYDAY: others must keep silent during distress traffic.
- SEELONCE FEENEE: distress traffic has ended; normal communication may resume.
Channels and systems
Voice distress calls on VHF are made on channel 16. DSC (Digital Selective Calling) uses channel 70. Even when frightened, make the call slowly and calmly.
Practise this call aloud during drills, not only on paper.