Making a Distress Call
For future reference, write your boat’s name & call sign here:
Speak slowly - clearly - calmly.
1.Make sure your radio is on.
2.Press the
3.Press the Push to Talk key and say: “MAYDAY
4.Say “THIS IS {name of your boat (three times) and call sign/ boat registration number (once)}.”
5.Repeat “MAYDAY {name of your boat}” once.
6.Tell where you are: (what navigational aids or landmarks are near, or read the latitude and longitude from your GPS).
7.State the nature of your distress (e.g. sinking, medical emergency, man overboard, on fire, adrift, etc.).
8.State the type of assistance you need (medical, towing, pumps, etc.).
9.Give the number of persons aboard and describe the condition of any injured persons.
10.Estimate present seaworthiness of your ship (e.g. how immediate is the danger due to flooding or fire).
11.Briefly describe your ship, giving ship name (i.e., “Blue Duck is 32 foot cabin cruiser, white hull, blue deck house”).
12.Say: “I WILL BE LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16.”
13.End the message by saying “THIS IS {name or call sign of your boat}, OVER.”
14.Release the Push to Talk key and listen.
If you do not get an answer after 30 seconds, repeat your call beginning at step 3 above.
