calling for help
MAYDAY
When issuing a mayday, the Coastguard of the area will direct massive resources across long distances to get to you as soon as possible, regardless of the risk and cost. In our experience, if you are sailing far, far from land, you should NEVER rely entirely on outside help to get you out of tight spots. Prepare as best you can so you don't have to, put some points in the black box, good sailing skills is your best possible insurance. Don't knowingly leave in bad weather, or in the wrong season for your area. People risk their lives coming to you, don't forget this.
Maydays must be reserved for truly desperate, life-threatening situations.
Mayday is the phonetic equivalent of the French "m'aidez" (help me) or "m'aider", a short form of "venez m'aider" (come [and] help me).
How to issue a mayday call:
- Press and/or hold the transmit button.
- Clearly say, "MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY. This is [insert boats name (repeat 3 times)]."
- Provide a description of your boat, your exact position and/or location (use your GPS coordinates, if available), the nature of the emergency, and the number of people on board.
- Say "Over" to indicate the end of your message.
- Release the transmit button.
- Wait for 30 to 60 seconds. If there is no response, repeat your call.
Example of mayday call:
MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY. This is the sailing vessel Pino, Pino, Pino. We are a 10 m sloop with a white hull and red canvas, our position is 48°45'28.5"N 123°19'43.9"W, we have struck a container and are sinking, we have a liferaft but we need help. There are 2 people onboard. Over.
If traveling out of range from the Coast Guard, you can alert Search and Rescue authorities around the world using the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) with the following equipment:
- INMARSAT. Global Satellite Network
- SARSAT (EPIRBs, ELTs, and PLBs). Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking
- MF-DSC/HF-DSC. Digital Selective Calling allows you to send an automatically formatted distress alert to local rescue authorities no matter where you are located
Misusing the system and making false calls can earn you up to 6 years in prison, a $250,000 criminal fine and a $5,000 civil fine. Don't do it, just don't.
If you accidentally issue a MayDay call, like accidentally activating an emergency beacon, you MUST contact the Coast Guard right away to cancel the call.
PANPAN
Panpan is used to declare that you have a situation that is urgent, but for the time being, does not pose an immediate danger to anyone's life or to the vessel itself.
You may call a panpan if you have a fouled propeller, a small fire (now extinguished), man overboard, to request medical advice etc.
Pan-pan is the phonetic equivalent of the French "panne" (breakdown, mechanical failure). "Tombez en panne," means to suffer a mechanical failure.
How to issue a PanPan call:
- Press and/or hold the transmit button.
- Clearly say, "PANPAN PANPAN PANPAN. [intended recipient's name 3 times]. This is the vessel [insert boats name, repeat 3 times]."
- Provide a description of your boat, your exact position and/or location (use your GPS coordinates, if available), the nature of the problem, the kind of help you require, and the number of people on board.
- Say "Over" to indicate the end of your message.
- Release the transmit button.
- Wait for 30 to 60 seconds. If there is no response, repeat your call.
Example of panpan call:
PANPAN PANPAN PANPAN. Victoria Coastguard radio, Victoria Coastguard radio, Victoria Coastguard radio, this is Pino, Pino, Pino. We are a 10 m sloop with a white hull and red canvas, our position is 48°45'28.5"N 123°19'43.9"W, our prop is fouled and we need a tow to the nearest port. There are 2 people onboard. Over.