One call on channel 16 reaches the coastguard and every vessel in range. Learn the three priorities and the MAYDAY by heart, then the first actions for the emergencies themselves.
Which VHF channel do I call another yacht on, and where do we then talk?
Call on channel 16, then move to a working channel; between yachts, an intership one such as 72. Channel 70 carries DSC data only, never voice.
Channel 16 is for distress and for calling: make contact, then move to a working channel, between yachts an intership one such as 72. Channel 70 carries DSC data only, never voice. Ask for a radio check on a working channel.
Use low power, 1 W, at short range; set the squelch where the hiss just stops; dual watch keeps an ear on 16. VHF is line of sight, so range depends on antenna height: the masthead antenna far outreaches a handheld. Spell with the phonetic alphabet and say tree, fower, fife, niner. Routine use needs an operator's certificate such as the SRC. An MMSI beginning 00 is a coast station.
| Proword | Meaning |
|---|---|
| OVER | I expect a reply |
| OUT | End of call, never with OVER |
| WILCO | Received, will comply. ROGER: received |
| SAY AGAIN | Repeat that |
When should I call MAYDAY rather than PAN-PAN on the radio?
MAYDAY is for grave and imminent danger to the vessel or a life, such as sinking or a fire out of control. PAN-PAN is urgent with no immediate danger: dismasted, or an injury that needs a doctor.
| Call | When |
|---|---|
| MAYDAY | Grave and imminent danger to the vessel or a life: a fire out of control, sinking, a person lost overboard, a crew member not breathing |
| PAN-PAN | Urgent, no immediate danger: dismasted or drifting without engine, an injury that needs a doctor |
| SÉCURITÉ | A warning to others: a container adrift in a channel |
A life in immediate danger is distress even if the yacht is sound. Announce SÉCURITÉ on 16 and pass the message on a working channel. Call by radio before the phone: VHF reaches every station in range, a phone only one. In Croatia the sea-rescue number is 195.
What exactly do I say in a MAYDAY call on the VHF, and in what order?
Hold the red DSC button for five seconds, then on channel 16: MAYDAY three times, this is and your name three times with MMSI, MAYDAY and name, position, nature of distress, help required, persons aboard, other facts, OVER.
On a DSC radio, lift the flap and hold the red button for five seconds: your MMSI and position go out on channel 70 and the set switches to 16. With seconds in hand, select the nature of distress first. Then speak:
The position comes early, so that help can start even if you are cut off. Give latitude and longitude, or the true bearing from a landmark and the distance. End with what helps rescuers: liferaft, EPIRB, hull colour. No answer: repeat the call and switch on the EPIRB.
You say: 180° from Cape Sounion light, 2 miles.
Without GPS data the alert carries no position. Cancel a false alert on the set, then tell all stations on 16.
What should I do if I hear another boat's MAYDAY on the VHF?
Don't acknowledge a DSC alert: listen on 16, note the details, and stay off the channel if a coast station answers. If none does and you can help, reply RECEIVED MAYDAY and go; if you cannot, send a MAYDAY RELAY.
A DSC distress alarm on your set: do not acknowledge it, coast stations do that. Listen on 16 for the voice MAYDAY and note the details. If a coast station has answered, stay off the channel. If nobody answers and you can help, reply RECEIVED MAYDAY, go, and tell the coast station.
If you cannot help, or the casualty cannot call, relay it: MAYDAY RELAY three times, all stations three times, this is and your own name three times, then her position and trouble.
| You hear | Meaning |
|---|---|
| SEELONCE MAYDAY | Silence: distress traffic only |
| PRUDONCE | Short essential calls only |
| SEELONCE FEENEE | Distress over |
When do I use a parachute rocket, a red hand flare or orange smoke?
A red parachute rocket is seen from far off, but never fire one near a helicopter. A red hand flare shows help nearby where you are at night; orange smoke does the same by day.
| Signal | Use |
|---|---|
| Red parachute rocket | Seen from far off. Never near a helicopter |
| Red hand flare | Shows where you are to help nearby, at night |
| Orange smoke | The same by day |
Hold a hand flare at arm's length to leeward. Replace out-of-date flares. SOS by light, or arms slowly raised and lowered, also mean distress; code flag V only asks for assistance.
Beyond VHF range only a satellite beacon reaches a rescue centre. The EPIRB, in a float-free bracket, switches on if the yacht sinks; take it into the raft, tie it on and leave it on until you are rescued. A PLB is personal and must be registered. An AIS MOB beacon alarms on plotters nearby, your own included; an AIS-SART target marks survivors. Report a false activation at once. Navtex prints navigation and search-and-rescue warnings.
How do I get back to someone who falls overboard from a sailing yacht?
Throw the danbuoy, post a spotter, press MOB and tack at once, leaving the headsail backed: the quick-stop keeps you close. Approach on a close reach, easing sheets to slow, and get a line on them first.
My yacht is taking on water: what do I do first?
Find and stop the inflow, because pumps only buy time: close the seacock, hammer a bung into a broken fitting, or tack to lift a hole clear of the water.
Flooding: pumps only buy time, so find and stop the inflow. Close the seacock, hammer a bung into a broken fitting, tack to lift a hole clear of the water. Fire in the engine bay: stop the engine, keep the hatch shut and fire the extinguisher through the fire port. Keep any fire downwind of the crew.
| Emergency | What you do |
|---|---|
| Aground | Heel her, kedge off towards deep water. Holed on rock: check before you pull off |
| Dismasted | Cut the rig away before it holes the hull; no lines in the water before you motor |
| No steering | Emergency tiller; without a rudder, a drogue on a bridle |
| Tow | Agree it is a tow, not salvage. Bridle from both bow cleats |
| Helicopter | Clear the deck. Let the wire touch down before you touch it. Never tie the hi-line |
| Abandoning | MAYDAY first; take grab bag and EPIRB |
Questions from this topic, as the app asks them. Open one to see the answer.
You are about to call the marina office. Which transmit power do you use?
A. Low power, 1 W
Use 1 W for short range so you do not block the channel for everyone nearby.
Which call for this?
B. PAN-PAN — urgent, not yet life-threatening
Engine failure drifting slowly with time in hand: urgency, not distress.
Which call is right for this situation?
D. MAYDAY — grave and imminent danger to the vessel and crew
Fire spreading below with people aboard is grave and imminent danger.
How do you help from here?
B. Send a MAYDAY RELAY to the coast station
If you cannot help yourself, pass the distress on to someone who can.
Which signal for this situation?
C. A red parachute flare
Parachute flares are seen from far away at night; hand flares when help is close.
You are coming back to the man overboard under power. How do you make the final approach?
C. Slowly, heading into the wind; neutral as they come alongside near the bow
Into the wind you stop easily; a turning prop next to a swimmer is lethal.
All 100 questions of this topic are in the app: practice by topic with the reason after every answer, your mistakes brought back, and a timed mock exam. Free, no sign-up, in the browser or in Telegram.