Module 10 - Scenario Simulator
Scenario Families
Routine traffic covers ordinary operational business without a safety, urgency or distress priority. Safety traffic communicates an important navigational or meteorological warning. Urgency concerns the safety of a person, vessel or other vehicle without the grave-and-imminent-danger condition of distress. Distress means grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance.
Classify from the current facts, then choose the corresponding procedure. A failed engine in open water may be routine assistance, urgency or distress depending on drift, sea room, weather, crew and how quickly danger is developing. The words 'engine failure' alone do not assign the priority.
Reassess throughout the exchange. A medical urgency can become distress if the casualty or vessel enters grave and imminent danger. Conversely, do not downgrade a genuine distress to avoid embarrassment. State the operational change that justifies changing priority.
| Family | Decision boundary | Example action |
|---|---|---|
| Routine | Ordinary operational request | Call, move to a suitable working channel, exchange information |
| Safety | Important navigation or weather warning | Use the safety procedure and broadcast relevant facts |
| Urgency | Serious concern for safety, not yet distress | Use Pan-Pan and request advice or assistance |
| Distress | Grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance | Use the distress alert/call/message appropriate to the equipment and situation |
Optional quick check
Section 7 of 8
What determines whether an engine failure is routine, urgency or distress?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 20 August 2026 - Compass Revision editorial review.
Continue studying Scenario Simulator
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