Reference

Mayday procedure

Step-by-step guide for VHF distress, urgency and safety calls.

🆘 In a genuine emergency — activate your DSC distress button first if fitted, then make a Mayday voice call on channel 16.

Related reference

VHF channels Phonetic alphabet

Mayday — grave and imminent danger

Use Mayday only when there is grave and imminent danger to life or vessel.

    Pan-Pan — urgency, not immediate danger

    Use Pan-Pan when there is an urgent situation that requires assistance but is not immediately life-threatening.

    PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN
    ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
    THIS IS [vessel name × 3]
    [position] [nature of urgency] [assistance required]
    OVER

    Sécurité — safety information

    Used to broadcast important navigational or meteorological warnings. Not a distress signal.

    SÉCURITÉ SÉCURITÉ SÉCURITÉ
    ALL STATIONS
    THIS IS [station name]
    [safety message]
    OUT