Module 6 - Distress & Mayday
The Complete Current Small-Craft Mayday
Active recall
Section 8 of 9
Explain the main idea from the complete current small-craft mayday in your own words.
After a DSC acknowledgement or about 15 seconds, transmit the voice distress call and message on Channel 16: MAYDAY three times; THIS IS and the vessel name three times; call sign or other identification; own MMSI; MAYDAY; THIS IS followed by vessel name, call sign and MMSI; position; nature of distress; assistance required; persons on board; other useful information; OVER.
Useful other information can include liferaft, lifejackets, EPIRB, handheld VHF, vessel description, intentions, injuries, or hazards. Do not replace the voice message with 'DSC alert sent': the voice follow-up supplies detail and also reaches non-DSC listeners.
Key points
- The second MAYDAY marks the start of the distress message.
- Call sign and MMSI are spoken before it and repeated in the full identity after it.
- Position, nature, assistance, persons, and useful other information follow.
- End OVER and listen for the acknowledgement and instructions.
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