Module 7 - Urgency & Safety Calls
Urgency Message Shape
What you will learn
Build the full PAN-PAN call and message in the ITU order on the nominated working channel.
The short Channel 16 announcement moves listeners to a working channel. The full urgency call and message then identify the caller, locate the incident and state the response required.
On the nominated working frequency, the urgency call begins PAN-PAN three times, followed by the called station or ALL STATIONS three times, THIS IS, vessel name three times, call sign or other identification and MMSI if the announcement used DSC. The urgency message follows with position, situation, assistance or advice required, intentions and other useful response facts.
Position and response need are not decoration. A vague report such as 'engine trouble somewhere near the island' forces the receiving station to reconstruct the basics. Give the best verified position available and state uncertainty honestly.
Use OVER when a reply is required, release push to talk and listen. Read back critical instructions, write down medical or operational advice and update material changes. Never use voice on Channel 70; it carries DSC digital signalling only.
Worked example
On a nominated working channel, fictional yacht Compass Rose requests urgent medical advice for a conscious crew member with severe abdominal pain.
- 1PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN. Solent Coastguard, Solent Coastguard, Solent Coastguard.
- 2THIS IS Compass Rose, Compass Rose, Compass Rose. Call sign Mike Alfa One Two Three Four. MMSI Two Three Two Zero Zero Zero Zero Zero One.
- 3Position Five Zero degrees Four Two decimal Three minutes North, Zero Zero One degrees One Eight decimal Six minutes West.
- 4One conscious crew member with severe abdominal pain, breathing normally; symptoms began forty minutes ago and are worsening. Require medical advice. Four persons on board. OVER.
Sense check: The example identifies the station, gives a plottable position, separates observations from diagnosis and ends OVER because a response is required.
Build the message from response decisions
The operator has moved to the working channel but stress makes the cockpit card look like one long paragraph.
1. Priority and addressee
Say PAN-PAN three times and identify the called station or ALL STATIONS three times.
2. Complete identity
Give vessel name three times, call sign and MMSI where applicable.
3. Response facts
Give position, situation, assistance or advice required, intentions and useful information, then OVER.
Sense check: The receiver should know who is calling, where the incident is, what is wrong and what response is requested before replying.
Common mistake or limitation
- Giving the full message on Channel 70 or treating a DSC call as a voice channel.
- Omitting position, assistance required or identity because the Coastguard may already have some digital data.
- Holding push to talk after OVER instead of releasing it for the response.
Recap
- Use the full PAN-PAN structure on the nominated working channel.
- Identity, position, problem and response required make the message actionable.
- End OVER, release push to talk and listen.
Optional quick check
Section 7 of 9
Which content makes a PAN-PAN message actionable?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 20 August 2026 - Compass Revision editorial review.
Continue studying Urgency & Safety Calls
This public lesson is part of Revision Module 7. Full revision access adds the guided Learn, Practise and Test flow, flashcards and revision progress.