Mayday Relay

The MCA small-craft procedure requires a received, unacknowledged distress message to be relayed to an appropriate coast station by any available means. The ITU Radio Regulations give the radiotelephony relay opening: MAYDAY RELAY three times; the addressed coast station or ALL STATIONS as appropriate three times; THIS IS; the relaying station name three times; its call sign or other identification; and its MMSI when the initial alert was sent by DSC.

The relay is followed, as far as possible, by the information contained in the original distress alert or message. Separate what you heard from what you observed. If the position or identity was incomplete, say so rather than filling the gap. Time-stamp information where delay or movement matters.

Address an appropriate coast station or rescue coordination centre where reliable contact can be established. An all-stations voice relay is not the automatic first choice when a direct route exists; the ITU procedure treats it as appropriate after continued difficulty contacting shore. Ensure the relay does not interfere with a station better placed to render immediate assistance.