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 button and say,
“MAYDAY
4.Say, “THIS IS {name or call sign of your boat}.”
5.Say, “MAYDAY{name or call sign of your boat}.”
6.Tell where you are (what navigational aids or
7.State the nature of your distress (e.g. sinking, medical emergency, man overboard, fire, adrift, etc.).
8.Give the number of persons aboard and describe the condition of any injured persons.
9.Estimate present seaworthiness of your ship (e.g. how immediate is the danger due to flooding or fire or proximity to shore).
10.Briefly describe your ship (length, type, color, hull).
11.Say, “I WILL BE LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16.”
12.End message by saying,
“THIS IS {name or call sign of your boat} OVER.”
13.Release the Push to talk button and listen for a response.
If you do not get an answer after 30 seconds, repeat your call, beginning at step 3, above.
