VHF Marine Radio Protocols
Emergency Messages and Distress Procedure
Keep the radio nearby. Even after your message has been received, the coastguard can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal for a rescue boat to home in on.
For Example
“Mayday — Mayday — Mayday”
“This is Corsair — Corsair — Corsair”
“Mayday Corsair”
“Point Lynas bears 220 degrees magnetic — distance 5 kilometers”
“Struck submerged object and flooding — need pump and tow”
“Four adults, three children aboard — no one injured”
“Estimate we will remain afloat
“Corsair is an 8 metre sloop with blue hull and tan deck house”
“I will be listening on Channel 16”
“This is Corsair”
“Over”
It is a good idea to write out a script of the message form and post it where you and others on your vessel can see it when an emergency message needs to be sent.
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