Hi friends,
Just wanted to drop a quick note about hailing for help on VHF Channel 16. We have portable VHFs for each of our Flying Scots and installed VHFs on all of our cruisers. Normally you'll keep these radios tuned to Channel 16 when you are out on the water. As a skipper, know when to transmit a mayday distress call, or an urgency Pan-Pan call, or when to refrain from making a distress call, and also what to do when you hear a distress call on the VHF.
(Picture above: An example of when not to hail.)
If your vessel is not in distress, please refrain from using the word distress, as some may assume that you are trying to hail a Mayday. Every skipper must understand what does not constitute a distress or urgent situation. Mere running out of fuel or having a dead battery, or a common grounding, for example, does not constitute using Mayday or Pan-Pan unless truly bad weather or other conditions threaten. The information below is taken from the excellent Chapman Piloting & Seamanship (a great book I recommend purchasing!). If you do encounter a Mayday or Pan-Pan situation, please let our Board know board@scow.org . Also, note that the marine environment can be unforgiving, and what may initially be a minor problem can rapidly develop into a situation beyond your control.
Mayday Distress call:
Only when grave and imminent danger threatens life or property and immediate help is required should you use the distress procedure Mayday on VHF Channel 16. Your message should be heard by boats, USCG stations and other shore stations that are within communications range. Speaking slowly, clearly and calmly use your marine radio to communicate the following information (press the red DSC button and turn to channel 16):
1. "Mayday... Mayday... Mayday"
2. "This is (boat name)...(boat name)...(boat name)."
3. "Mayday (boat name) Position is (vessel position from a well known navigation landmark).
4. "We (nature of your emergency)"
5. "We require (type of assistance required)"
6. "On board are (number of adults and children on board) and (safety equipment aboard) (State conditions of any injured.)"
7. "(Boat name) is a (boat length in feet) foot (sailboat) with a (hull color) hull and (sail color) sails"
8. "I will be listening on Channel 16"
9 "This is (boat name). Over."
Pan-Pan Urgency Call & Message
Send the Pan-Pan urgency signal to indicate that you have a "very urgent" message regarding the safety of your vessel or the safety of a person.
1 "Pan-Pan... Pan-Pan...Pan-Pan" [properly pronounced "pahn-pahn"]
2. "All Stations. (or the name of a particular vessel)"
3. "This is (boat name)...(boat name)...(boat name)."
4. "We (nature of your emergency)"
5. "We require (type of assistance required or other useful information such as your position, a description of your vessel and/or the number of people on board)"
6. "This is (boat name). Over."
Canceling a Pan-Pan
If you transmit a Pan-Pan call, then find that you no longer require assistance, you must cancel the message.
1 "Pan-Pan... Pan-Pan...Pan-Pan"
2. "Hello all stations, Hello all stations"
3. "This is (boat name)."
4. "Time is (transmission by 24 hour clock)."
5. "Cancel Pan-Pan."
6. "This is (boat name) Out."
If you hear a Mayday Call
If you are not in distress but you hear a Mayday call, listen carefully--do not transmit. As you listen, try to determine if your boat is in the best position to take the necessary action, or if some other vessel is better located or better equipped to deal with the situation.
If yours is the logical boat to render assistance, reply with a call to the distressed vessel as follows:
(Name of boat in distress)...(name of boat in distress)...(name of boat in distress). This is (your boat name)... (your boat name)... (your boat name). Received Mayday."
When the other vessel has acknowledged your call, continue with your offer of assistance by giving your position, your speed toward the scene of distress, and the estimated time to get there. But be sure before you transmit that you will not be interfering with the signal of another vessel better situated to render immediate assistance. Keep in mind that the "Good Samaritan" provision protects you from liability. (look up the details of this provision) If yours is not the logical boat to take action, maintain radio silence but monitor the frequency closely for any further development.
Finally, if your situation is not a distress, you may hail, "Coast Guard". If alternative sources of assistance are available, the Coast Guard will normally coordinate the efforts to assist you. If you have a friend, marina, or commercial firm that you want contacted, for example often the Coast Guard will attempt to do so, or may make a Marine Assistance Request Broadcast on your behalf. This announces that you need help, gives your location, and invites others to come to your aid. (Of course, if you've brought a cell phone with you, you may also use that, too.)
In any case, hope this helps! Stay safe and have fun on the water!
Chris
Commodore Chris McGraw
Sailing Club of Washington
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