Distress Signals and responding to emergencies


This page is designed for those studying for their master (code vessels less than 200 GT) or their Officer of the Watch (Yachts less than 500 GT). This page will help you study for the distress signals and how to respond to emergencies aspects of the UK MCA Orals syllabus.

You will learn about how to react in different emergencies such as a man overboard situation, collision, flooding and grounding and understand how to conduct different search patterns.

You will learn about:

  • The the conditions under which distress signals may be used; understands the various types of distress signal, action to be taken on receipt and the obligations to render assistance.
  • The correct use of pyrotechnics, EPIRBS and SARTS including the appropriate circumstances for their use.
  • The correct distress communications procedures including the terms Mayday, PanPan and Securité messages.
  • The Emergency communication with the GMDSS regulations.
  • Initial action following: man overboard, collision, grounding, flooding or major mechanical damage, initial damage assessment and control, protection of the marine environment.
  • Knowledge of fire prevention, use and care of fire-fighting appliances, the shut-down and isolation of plant and equipment, escape and breathing apparatus, fire and safety plans.
  • Use and care of lifesaving appliances and equipment including, immersion suits and thermal protective aids, pyrotechnics and line throwing apparatus.
  • Launching of liferafts and rescue boats; proper rigging of liferaft hydrostatic release units.
  • Basic principles of survival.

You can see what is included in the contents list below.

  1. Radio communications
  2. Mayday messages
    1. Subscriber Content
  3. The types of distress signals
  4. How to use distress signals
  5. Action to be taken on receipt of a distress signal
  6. International Conventions
  7. Preparations before Proceeding to a Distress
  8. Search Patterns
  9. Action in the Event of a Man Overboard
  10. Williamson Turn
  11. Scharnov Turn
  12. Anderson (Single) Turn
  13. Double Turn
  14. Collision
  15. Grounding
  16. Engine Failure
  17. Steering gear failure
  18. Malfunction of Navigational Equipment
  19. Onset of Adverse Weather
  20. Fire prevention
  21. Lifesaving appliances
  22. Launching life rafts and rescue boats
  23. Basic principles of sea survival
    1. Subscribe to get access

Radio communications

There are 3 different types of messages that we can transmit over the radio, to send messages of importance.

These are:

  • Mayday
  • Pan Pan
  • Securite

Mayday messages

Mayday is the international radio telephony distress signal.

Mayday is the international signal to notify life-threatening distress.

A Mayday call is only to be used in the case of “grave and imminent danger to a vessel or persons, such as fire, sinking, man overboard.”

Ship aground, with lifeboat on a beach. A mayday would have been called in this question.

Sending a distress message

In the distress signal stage, the DSC (Digital Selective Calling), which is a red button on your VHF. It is the first signal to the coastguard that you are in distress. It will send your vessel’s MMSI number and your location.

The second stage is to send a Mayday message via voice, over channel 16. This should be formatted as follows:

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday

This is (Ship’s Name) x 3

International Call Sign

MMSI

Mayday

Ship’s name

Position in Latitude and Longitude

Nature of Distress

I require immediate assistance

Total number of persons onboard

An other important information

Over

Click here to see an example Mayday message

Subscribe to get access

Read more of this content when you subscribe today.

Subscribe
Privacy policy