Navigation and Seamanship

6.5.3.1. EmergencyVoice calls through marine radio communication

                                                                                   

EmergencyVoice calls through marine radio communication

When an emergency occurs at sea ,the degree of urgency could be expressedby using proper pro-words on marine radio communication. The following are theimportant pro-words commonly used on marine radio communication,

· MAYDAY is used to expressdistress of the highest priority. It should be used only when a boat isthreatened by grave or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.Broadcast the distress on 2182 kHz or Channel 16. A MAYDAY call has absolutepriority over all other transmissions and the message will be heard by all thelisteners of channel 16. All boat operators hearing a MAYDAY call shouldimmediately pay attention.

· PAN-PAN ( pahn-pahn ) is thespoken word for communicating a very urgent message to transmit concerning thesafety of a ship, aircraft, vehicle, or person.

· S ECURITY ( SEE-CURE-IT-TAY ) isa safety related spoken word to indicatea message concerning the safety of navigation, or important weather warnings.

To attract the attention of listeners, the soundalarm consists of two audible tones of different pitch sent alternately, fornot less than 30 seconds or more than one minute. When a distressed boater isin your vicinity, receipt of the distress message should be acknowledged atonce. If the distressed vessels are far away from your vessels position themessage may be passed to nearby vessel or shore stations.