LARSON Bass - Requesting Assistance (Non-Distress Call)

EMERGENCIES
SECTION
4
© 2003-2018 Ken Cook Co. 4 - 2 l Bass
See the Markers, Warnings and Advisories section of this manual for more signaling
devices.
Seconds count during emergencies. Knowing the proper way to use the distress
signaling devices aboard the boat can help save lives.
• MAYDAY radio call – A mayday call is reserved for life-threatening
situations, such as fire, severe weather or sinking, where lives are in
imminent danger or the boat is in danger of sinking. Start the broadcast
clearly and calmly with “Mayday - Mayday - Mayday.”
• PAN-PAN (pahn-pahn) radio call – A pan-pan call is used for urgent but
non-life-threatening situations where there is no immediate danger to lives
or the boat, such as a loss of steering control or taking on water of any
amount. Start the broadcast clearly and calmly with “Pan - Pan - Pan.”
• Securite (se-cure-ih-tay) call – A securite call is used for non-life-
threatening situations to notify authorities and others in the vicinity of
important navigation and weather alert calls
. Start the broadcast clearly
and calmly with “Securite - Securite - Securite.”
In an emergency situation the responder needs to know four important pieces of
information:
• The exact nature of the emergency and an assessment of the severity
• Number of people on board
• The location (navigation marker, visual reference or GPS coordinates in
open water)
• What the boat looks like (hull and top colors, unique features, flags, etc.)
For additional information on the safe and proper use of distress signaling devices
and the safe and proper use of emergency communication equipment, contact
state and local authorities. Additional information can be found on the USCG
website:
http://www.uscgboating.org.
REQUESTING ASSISTANCE (NON-DISTRESS CALL)
If a boater contacts the USCG on Channel 16 VHF-FM or Channel 70 DSC
regarding a non-distress situation, the USCG will offer to contact any assistance
provider (commercial or friend) the boater requests or will issue a Marine
Assistance Request Broadcast (MARB) if the boater has no preference of service.