24.Emergency Communications
One of the most important reasons to have a VHF radio on board your boat is so you can make distress calls to rescue agencies like the US Coast Guard, State Boating Authorities, County Sheriffs, and towing organizations. There are three acknowledged levels of severity when making an emergency call, and it’s impor- tant to know what to do if you should have to make an emergency call, and what to do if you hear one.
An excellent source for information on marine communications is Chapman Piloting, Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling. We recommend that you con- sult Chapman’s for more information, and also consult the web at one of the follow- ing web sites: www.boatingsafety.com www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/radi o.htm
Mayday for Distress
Communications
Mayday calls are only for when your ves- sel or crew face “grave and imminent danger, and immediate help is required”. Therefore, you should not transmit a Mayday call unless you’re likely to lose a life or your boat.
Procedure for making a Distress Call:
Select Channel 16 and high transmit power.
Transmit as follows:
1.“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”.
2.“This is (Name of Vessel)”. Repeat three times.
3.“(Your call sign or other indication of the vessel)”. Repeat three times.
4.“Located at (your position)”. The position can be in latitude and longi- tude, or can be in reference to a known object. Be specific. “Near a Red buoy” or “South of the Lighthouse” is too easy to misinter- pret.
5.State “(The nature of the distress and assistance required.)”. Examples: tak- ing on water, medical emergency, fire, dismasting, aground in surf.
6.State “(Any other information which might facilitate the rescue)”. Examples: # of adults and children on board, other communications devices, life raft on board, color of vessel, size of vessel, # of injuries, type of help or equipment needed.
After making a Mayday call, allow the Coast Guard, other rescue agencies, or other boaters to contact you. If you don’t hear from anyone in a minute, repeat your message.
26 | West Marine VHF200 Owner’s Manual |
