A mobile (ship) station or a coast, Which learns that a mobile

station is in distress, may transmit a message on its behalf in any of

the following cases:
1. When the station in distress is not itself in a position to transmit
the distress message
2. When the master or person responsible for the ship not itself in
distress or the person responsible for the coast station, Consider
that further help is necessary; or
3. When although not in position to render assistance it has heard a
distress message which has not been acknowledged
It is very important that when a distress message is transmitted by
a ship it is made perfectly clear, in accordance with the procedure
outline in Section 27, that is being sent by a station not itself in
distress
2. Documents to be held by operators
An operator must at all times retain with him aboard the vessel his
Certificate of Proficiency; a copy of his Handbook, the station license
and radio log book
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT OF A DISTRESS
CALL
Acknowledgement of a distress call shall be made on the
Frequency on which the call was received and shall be made in the
order outlined in the following example :

MAYDAY
SEA WITCH SEA WITCH SEA WITCH
THIS IS VM4608 SCAMP THIS IS VM4608 SCAMP THIS IS VM4608
SCAMP
RECEIVED (OR ROMEO) MAYDAY
OUT

The following information in order shown below shall be
transmitted as soon as possible after acknowledge :
MAYDAY SEA WITCH SEA WITCH SEA WITCH
THIS IS VM4608 SCAMP
POSITION 31 DEGRESS 10 MINUTES SOUTH 156 DEGRESS 30
MINUTES EAST SPEED 15 KNOTS
WILL REACH YOUR POSITION APPROXIMATELY 1.000
HOURS
OUT
AND SEARCH RESCUE (SAR)
EXAMPLE NO.1
The following examples No.1 and No.2 illustrate fictive distress
situations at sea involving ships and radio stations. The object of
the examples is to show how the relevant distress procedures
should be employed. In the first example, three different ships
will participate :
MANILA SUNRISE / DVPW
NEW ORLEANS / LAKO2
BERGE MASTER / LANO2
The cargo ship New Orleans / LAKO2 is on its way from
Europe to Australia, loaded with containers.
In the south Atlantic, the ship sails into a tropical storm.
It starts taking in water and develops a 20 degree list to port
side. The weather situation is as follows : Storm from the north
west, cloudy, Rain Showers

Visibility is about 5 nautical miles, There are 17 crew members
on board. The master of the New Orleans decides to send a distress
alert on 2182 KHz. The GPS position is 09.15.23 South and 012.20.10
West at 0910 UTC
1. The New Orleans needs to transmit a distress call and a
distress message on the international distress frequency.
How should this be done ?
Answer:

NEW ORLEANS ON 2182 KHz:
ALARM SIGNAL ON 2182 KHz (ABOUT 30 SECONDS)
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY
THIS IS
NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS
CALL SIGN
LIMA ALFA KILO OSCAR TWO
(wait for about 10 seconds)


MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS CALL SIGN LIMA ALFA KILO OSCAR TWO
IN POSITION 09.15.23 SOUTH 012.20.10 WEST
20 DEGRESS LISTING TO PORT SIDE
DANGER OF CAPSIZING
NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
THE WHETHER IS NORTWEST STORM RAIN
SHOWERS WITH VISIBILITY ABOUT 5 NAUTICAL
MILES
2. The oil tanker Berge Master is northbound from the Persian Gulf to
Rotterdam, and the Manila Sunrise is also in the same area. Both
ships receive and acknowledge the distress call.
How do they reply?

BERGE MASTER
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER
CALL SIGN LANO2
RECEIVED MAYDAY


MANILA SUNRISE
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
MANILA SUNRISE MANILA SUNRISE MANILA SUNRISE
CALL SIGN DVPW
MAYDAY RECEIVED

3. The New Orleans does not receive acknowledge from any other
vessels and its position is too far away from shore to establish
communication with a coast station, The radio operator must therefore
ask information about the position and ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) of
the Berge Master and Manila Sunrise

NEW ORLEANS
MAYDAY
BERGE MASTER BERRGE MASTER BERGE MASTER
MANILA SUNRISE MANILA SUNRISE
THIS IS
NEW ORLEANS NEW ORLEANS
GIVE ME YOUR POSITIONS AND ESTIMATED TINE
OF ARRIVAL
OVER




BERGE MASTER
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER
MY POSITION IS 09.43 SOUTH AND 012.22 WEST
ETA IN APPROXIMATELY TWO HOURS
OVER



MANILA SUNRISE
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
MANILA SUNRISE
MY POSITION IS APPROXIMATELY 50 NAUTICAL
MILES NORTH OF YOU
ETA IN ABOUT 3 HOURS AND 40 MINUTES
WE CAN ASSIST YOU WITH PORTABLE EMERGENCY
PUMPS
OVER




NEW ORLEANS
MAYDAY
BERGE MASTER
MANILA SUNRISE
THIS IS
NEW ORLEANS
ROGER
4. The New Orleans need assistance from both ships.All ships are
within VHF range and the radio operator decides to continue the
distress communication on VHF chanel 16.

NEW ORLEANS
MAYDAY
BERGE MASTER MANILA SUNRISE
THIS IS
NEW ORLEANS
I NEED ASSISTANCE FROM BOTH OF YOU
PLEASE CHANGE TO vhf CHANNEL 16
OVER




BEERGE MASTER
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
MANILA SUNRISE
ROGER
WILL CO
OUT
5. The berge master is troubled by traffic between fishing vessels on
channel 16, and must impose silence

BERGE MASTER
ALL STATIONS
SEELONCE DISTRESS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER CALL SIGN LANO2
6. After about 30 minutes the Berge Master observes an echo on its
radar screen that could be the New Orleans

BERGE MASTER
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER
I HAVE AN ECHO ON MY RADAR, BEARING 270
DEGREES
DISTANCE ABOUT 18 NAUTICAL MILES
PLEASE ACTIVATE YOUR RADAR TRANSPONDER
OVER


NEW ORLEANS
MAYDAY
BERGE MASTER
THIS IS
NEW ORLEANS
ROGER
WILL ACTIVE RADAR TRANSOPONDER
OUT
7. The Berge Master now observes echoes from the SART and
confirms this

BERGE MASTER
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER
IAM RECEIVING THE SIGNALS FROM YOUR SART
ETA IN ABOUT 1 HOUR AND TWENTY MINUTES
NEW ORLEANS
MAYDAY
BERGER MASTER
THIS IS
NEW ORLEANS
ROGER
8. After about one hour the situation on board the New Orleans
changes dramatically. The master deems it necessary to abandon
ship

NEW ORLEANS
MAYDAY
BERGE MASTER MANILA SUNRISE
THIS IS
NEW ORLEANS
THE LASTING IS NOW 35 DEGREES AND WE HAVE
TO ABANDON SHIP
WE WILL TAKE SART AND PORTABLE VHF WITH US
IN THE LIFEBOATS, PLEASE TAKE CHARGE OF THE
DISTRESS TRAFFIC
OVER


BERGE MASTER
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER
ROGER TAKING OVER
I WILL BE AT YOUR POSITION IN 20 MINUTES
MANILA SUNRISE
MAYDAY
NEW ORLEANS
THIS IS
MANILA SUNRISE
ROGER
9. Theberge Master picks up all crew members from the New Orleans,
and asks theManila Sunrise to proceed with her voyage.
BERGE MASTER
MAY DAY
MANILA SUNRISE
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER
THE SITUATION IS U DER CONTROL AND ALL CREW MEMBERS
FROM THE NEW ORLEANS HAVE BEEN RESCUED.
YOU CAN NOW CONTINUE YOUR VOYAGE. THANK YOU FOR
YOUR ASSISTANCE. HAVE A SAFE VOYAGE .
OVER
MANILA SUNRISE
MAY DAY
BERGE MASTER
THIS IS
MANILA SUNRISE
ROGER
THANK YOU. HAVE A GOOD VOYAGE TOO
OUT
10. The Berge Master must now inform other vessels that complete
silence is no longer necessary , and normal working conditions can
be resumed on channel 16.

BERGE MASTER
MAY DAY
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
THIS IS
BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER BERGE MASTER
CALL SING LANO2
TIME 1205 UTC
NEW ORLEANS LAKO2
SEELONCE FEENEE
OBLIGATION TO ACCEPT AND
ACKNOWLEDGE DISTRESS MESSAGE

Station to receive a distress message from a mobile (ship) station
which is beyond any possible doubt :
1. In their vicinity must immediately acknowledge receipt. However,
in areas where reliable communication with a coast station is
practicable, ships should defer acknowledgement for a short
interval to permit the coast station to acknowledge receipt.
2. Not in their vicinity ship should defer acknowledgement for a
short interval to permit station nearer to the station in distress to
acknowledge receipt without interference;
3. A long distance away must acknowledge receipt if the message
has not been acknowledged by another station. It my be necessary
to attract the attention of other stations by relaying the distress
message heard

An acknowledgement of receipt of a distress message shall be
given in the following form :

1. The call sign or other identification of the station sending the
distress message spoken three times
2. The word THISIS
3. The call sign or other identification of the station acknowledging
receipt spoken three times
4. The word RECEIVED (or ROMEO)
5. The distress signal- MAYDAY


Every ship station acknowledging receipt of a distress message
shall upon the Master or person responsible for the ship, transmit as
soon as available a message containing the following information in the
order shown :
1. Its name
2. Its position
3. The speed at which it is proceeding towards and the approximate
time it will reach the mobile station in distress
4. Additionally if the position of the ship in distress appears doubtful
ship station should also transmit, if available the tru bearing of of the
ship in distress
DISTRESS, URGENCY AND
SAFETY
1. SPECIAL
1.1. Distress, Urgency and safety signals
the radiotelephone distress signal consist of three repetition of the
word MAYDAY pronounced as the French expression maider
The radiotelephone urgency signal consist of three repetitions of
the group of word PAN-PAN each word pronounced clearly as the
french word panne
The radiotelephone safety signal consist of the word SECURITE
pronounced clearly as in French. (SAY-CURE-TAY), spoken three
times.

1.2. Authority to Transmit Distress Call and Message
A distress call and message may be sent only on the authority of
The master or person responsible for the safety of the ship. It should be
made only when the ship is threatened by grave and imminent danger
and requires immediate assistance


1.3. Priority of Distress Calls
The distress call has absolute priority over other transmissions. All stations
which hear it must cease any transmission capable of interfering with the distress
traffic and listen on the frequency used for emission of the distress call. This call
shall not be addressed to a particular station and acknowledgement of receipt shall
not be given before the distress message which follows is sent.
If a two tone alternating alarm signal is heard it indicated that a distress call or
message is about to follow (It may used by a coast station to precede an urgent
cyclone warning). All stations hearing the alarm signal should cease ordinary
activities and prepare to copy the message which follows.

1.4. Ship in distress may use any means to obtain help
A station in a ship in distress may use any means at its disposal to attract
attention, make down its position and obtain help.

1.5. Watch on Distress Frequency
Watch keeping requirements for compulsory fitted radiotelephone vessels are
laid down in the relative commonwealth or state marine legislation affecting such
vessels.
The frequency 2182 kHz is the international radiotelephone distress and calling
frequency. Ship stations should keep the maximum watch practicable on this
channel at all times whilst at sea, particularly during silence periods.
The frequencies 4125 and 6215.5 kHz are designated to supplement the
frequency 2182 kHz for distress and safety purpose.
Coast station operated by the Overseas Telecommunications Commission
maintain a continues watch or the frequency 2182 and 4125 kHz during their hours
of service
The frequency 6215,5 kHz is also guardec continuosly by the OTC coast
stations at Sydney, Perth , Darwin, and Thursday island all other OTC coast stations
keep watch on 6215,5 kHz within their station hours ( or 0500-1900 hours local
time) only









1.6 Silence Periode
Silence periode are periode of three minutes beginning at
each hour and at thirty minutes past the hour

EXCEPT FOR DISTRESS CALLS AND MESSAGES ALL
TRANSMISIONS ON 2182 KHZ
MUST CEASE FOR THREE
MINUTES COMMENCING ON
THE HOUR AND AT THIRTY
MINUTES PAST THE HOUR
00 00 00 03
00 30 00 33


It is important a reliable and accurate means of determining
the time is provided to prevent inadvertent transmission during
silence periods.
1.7 Repetition of Distress Message
the distress message may be repeated at intervals. It may
be repeated on any available frequency on which attention may
be altracted.
STANDARD MARINE COMUNICATION
PHRASE
1. PROCEDURS

When it is necessary to indicate that the SMCP are to be
used the following massage may be sent:
2. SPELLING

When in external comunication spelling is necessary, only the
following spelling table should be used :

THE PHONECTIC ALPHABET
LETTER CODE LETTER CODE
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M

ALPA
BRAVO
CHARLIE
DELTA
ECHO
FOXTROT
GOLF
HOTEL
INDIA
JULIET
KILO
LIMA
MIKE

N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Y
Z
NOVEMBER
OSCAR
PAPA
QUEBEC
ROMEO
SIERRA
TANGO
UNIFROM
VICTOR
WHISKY
X-RAY
YANKEE
ZULU
THE FIGURE CODE
FIGURE code
0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Full stop
Decimal point
Nadazero
Unaone
Bissotwo
Terrathree
Kartefour
Pantafive
Soxisix
Settaseven
Oktoeight
Novenine
Stop
Decimal
3. MESSAGE MARKERS
in shore to ship and ship to shore communication or radio
communication in general, the following eight massege
markers may be used:
a. instruction indicates that the following massege implies the
intention of the sender to influence the recipient
by regulation.e.g. you must stay clear of the
fairway.
b. Advice indicates that the following massage implies the
intention of the sender to influence the recipient
by a recommendation e.g you can pass astren of
me
c. Warning indicate that the following masge inform other traffic
participants about dangers e.g Iam
manoeuvering with difficulty
.
d. Information indicate that the following massage is restricted to
observed facts. e,.g The pilot is waiting now at
the position 15 degrees 34 minutes north 61
degrees 29 minutes west.
e.Question Indicates that the following massage is of
interrogative character.e.g.what is your position?
f. Answer Indicate that the following massage in the reply
to previous quoestion. E.g. my position is 137
degrees from Barrhead lighthouse distance two
decimal four mails.
g. Request indicate that content of the following massage
are asking for an action from orther with respect
to the ship.e.g. please send medical assistance.
h. Intention Indicates that the following massage
informothers about immedicate navigational
actionns inteded to be taken.e.g. I intent to
reduce speed, new speed: five knots

4. RESPONS
a. When the answer to question is in the affirmartive, say:
yes, followed by the appropriate phrase in full.

b. When the answer to question is in t affirmativ say:
No, follewed by the appropriate phrase in full.
c. When the information requested is not immediately
available, say:
stand by followed by the time interval within which the
information will be available.
d. When the information requested cannot be obtained, say:
No information.
e. When an INSTRUCTION (e.g. by VTS- station , naval
vessel or orther fully authorized personnal) or an ADVICE is
given, respond if in the affirmative:
I will/can followed by the instruction or advice in full;
and if the negative, resspond:

5. DISTRESS, URGENCY AND SAFETY
MASSEGE

Type of
Precedure
Call Situation
Distrress









Urgency



Safety
Mayday









Pan-pan
Securite
(pronounced say-
cure-e-tay)
To be used when
a ship or aircraft
is threatened by
grave and
imminet danger
likely to
involveloss of life
and request
immediate
assistance.

6. STANDARD ORGANIZATIONAL PHRASE
a. How do you read ?
I read you
bad one with signal strength barely
perceptible
poor/two with signal strength weak
fair/three with signal strength fairly good
good/four with signal strength good
execelent/five with signal strength very good
b.When it is advisable to remain on a VHF channel/frequency
say :
stand by on VHF channel/frequency.
c.When it is advisable to change to another VHF
channel/frequency say

7. CORRECTION
When a mistake is made in a massage say:
Mistake followed by the Word
Correction Plus the corrected part of the massage
Example : My parent speed 14 knots mistake. Correction my
Parents speed 12 knots, One-two knots

8. READINESS
I am/ I am not ready to receive your massage
9. REPETITION
a. if any part of the massage are considered sufficiently
important to need safeguarding, say :
Repeat followed by the corrresponding part of the
massage
b. When a massage is not properly heard say
Say again (Please)


10. NUMBERS
Numbers are be spoken in separate digits
One five zero For 150
Two decimal five for 2.5
Note : Attention! When rudder angles e.g in wheel order are
give, say
Fifteen for 15
Twenty for 20 etc
11. POSITION
a.When latitude and longitude are used these shall be
expressed in degrees and minutes (and decimal of
minutes if necessary) north or south of the equator and
east or west of Greenwich
Example WARNING. Dangerous wreck in position 15
degrees 34 minutes north 61 degrees 29 minutes
miles
b. When position is related to a mark, The mark shall be a
well defined charted object. The bearing shall be in 360
degrees notation from true north and shall be that of the
position FROM mark.

Example : your position bearing 137 degrees from Barr
Head lighthouse distance 2,4 nautical miles
12. COURSE
Always be expected in 360 degrees notation from north (
true north unless otherwise stated) Whether this is TO or
FROM a mark can be stated.

13. DISTANCE
Preferably to be expressed in nautical miles or cables (
tenths of a mile) otherwise in kilometers or meters the unit
always to be stated.
14. SPEED
To be expressed in knots
Whithout further notation meaning speed through the Water
or ground speed meaning speed over the ground

15. TIME
Time should be expressed in the 24 hour notation indicating
whether UTC, zone time or local time is being used.

16. GEOGRAPHICAL NAME
Place name should be those on the chart or Sailing
Directions in use. Should these not be understood, latitude
and longitude should be given