Navigation and Seamanship

4.2.6. Distress Transmitting Procedures

We can send the distress message through radiotelephone when we are looking for

immediate assistance. 2182 khz and 500 khz are the general calling and reply to call frequencies in the MF R/T marine band and MF telegraphy band respectively. Following is the standard format for sending distress message through radiotelephone

1. Tune the radiotelephone to frequency 2182khz .

2. If possible, transmit the ALARM SIGNAL (i.e. two-tone signal) for 30 seconds to one minute, but do not delay the message if there is insufficient time in which to transmit the Alarm signal.

3. Send the following DISTRESS CALL.

Mayday Mayday Mayday. This is ……(name or call sign of ship spoken three times).

4. Then send the DISTRESS MESSAGE composed of:

Mayday followed by the name or call sign of ship;

Position of ship;

Nature of distress;

And, if necessary, transmit the nature of the aid required and any other information which will help the rescue.

Wait for any reply message , if there is no reply repeat the procedure once again and till you get any response from port or any vessel.

USE PLAIN LANGUAGE WHENEVER POSSIBLE.