Instruction Manual
77
E04819 Issue 1.0
8 APPENDIX
8.1 Operating procedures
The following operating procedure summary has been proposed
by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency. It is not exhaus-
tive and should not be regarded as a replacement for informa-
tion provided by the proper two-day VHF/DSC training course
required for all VHF license holders.
8.1.1 Sending a Distress Alert
1. Send a Distress Alert call (see section 4.2.6).
2. Wait approx. 15 seconds for a DSC acknowledgment from
the Coastguard or a ship station.
3. On receipt of a DSC acknowledgment, or after about 15
seconds, transmit the following distress call on channel 16:
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”
“This is (name of vessel, repeat 3x)
“Mayday (MMSI number and name of vessel or callsign,
spoken once – Position – Nature of distress – No. of
persons on board)”
“Over.”
If the vessel is not in “grave and imminent danger”, an All Ships
Urgency call followed by a spoken “Pan Pan”, or a routine call
to the nearest Coastguard station may be more appropriate.
Warning It is a prosecutable offense to initiate a Distress
Alert call for any other reason than that the ves-
sel and/or crew is in grave and imminent danger.
8.1.2 Acknowledging and relaying a
Distress Alert
When a DSC Distress Alert is received, an audible alarm will
sound. Immediately cease any transmission that may interfere
with distress traffic and continue a watch on channel 16.
If there is no DSC acknowledgment from a coast station or ship,
after a short interval acknowledge by voice on channel 16:
“Mayday (MMSI of vessel in distress, repeat 3x)”
“This is (name of own vessel, repeat 3x)”
“Received Mayday (state the assistance you can give)”
“Over.”
A similar response should be given to a distress relay call, using
the words “Mayday Relay” instead of “Mayday”.
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