Distress Calls L6

Small Craft Operator Program

Small Craft Operator Program
Module 2 – Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime)

Topics we will be covering in the course include …

• Section 1 - Maritime Mobile Service
• Section 2 – Procedures
• Section 3 – GMDSS
• Section 4 – Digital Selective Calling Radios
• Section 5 – Routine Communications

• Section 6 – Distress Communications
• Section 7 – Urgency Communications
• Section 8 – Safety Communications
• Section 9 – Other GMDSS Equipment
• Section 10 – Additional Information

Restricted Operator’s
Certificate (Maritime) Course

Section 6
Distress Communications

In this section we will be looking at…

•Priority
•Distress Traffic
•Distress Procedure Using DSC
•Distress Call and Message
•Action on Receipt of a DSC Alert or Call
•Action By Other Vessels
•Relay of a Distress Message
•Imposition of Silence
•Cancellation of Distress

The “Distress” Signal

•Consists of the word “Mayday”
•Indicates that the vessel sending the signal or a person on board is:

•Threatened by grave and imminent danger and requires
immediate assistance, or
•Aware that a ship, aircraft or other vehicle is threatened by grave
and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance

•Call and message is sent on the authority of the person in command
of the vessel
•A distress message from a ship shall be transmitted on VHF Channel
16 (156.800 MHz) or MF 2182 kHz regardless if DSC is used or not

The “Distress” Signal

•False Distress calls are strictly prohibited

•Hefty fines are associated with false distress calls

•You can cancel a distress call if your situation changes or you realized
you are no longer in danger

What is the Priority of a Distress Signal?

•Distress calls have priority over all other transmissions

•All stations hearing a distress call will immediately stop all
transmissions and listen for the distress message

Distress Procedure

•In a distress situation, time permitting, if
the radio is not connected to a navigational
device, the boat operator must manually
input the vessels position (Latitude and
Longitude) and the time

•Select type of distress from the menu if
provided, lift the red cover and depress the
DISTRESS button for 3-5 seconds

Distress Procedure

•DSC radios will transmit Distress alert
automatically every 3.5 – 4.5 minutes on:

•VHF Channel 70, or
•MF 2187.5 kHz

•Will stop transmitting when a digital
acknowledgment is received

•On receipt DSC radios will sound an
alert and automatically switch to
VHF Channel 16 or MF 2182 kHz to
receive voice message

Making the Call

•The Distress call should include

•an alarm signal (if the vessel is equipped with one)
•“Mayday” spoken 3 times
•“This is”
•the name of the vessel in distress 3 times
•MMSI number spoken if DSC alert was sent

Distress Traffic

•Consists of all transmissions relative to the immediate assistance
required by the ship in distress
•“Mayday”, spoken once, shall precede all transmissions
•All stations not taking part in the Distress traffic are forbidden to
transmit on the channel or frequency being used

•Typically this is VHF channel 16 or MF 2182 kHz

•Control of traffic is with the vessel in Distress unless delegated

Radiotelephone alarm

•International radiotelephone alarm signal consists of a repetitive
transmission of two audio tones that produce a warbling sound
•Signal period is a minimum of 30 seconds but does not exceed 1 min
•Purpose of signal is to precede a distress signal, call and message
•DSC-capable radios will produce the same sound

What is included in the Distress Message?

• The distress signal MAYDAY (once)
• The name of the vessel in distress

(once)

• Particulars of its position
• Nature of the distress and kind of

assistance required

• A description of the vessel in distress

• The number of persons on board and any

injuries

• Any other important information (e.g.

“preparing to abandon ship with
lifejackets”)

• The name of the vessel
• The word ‘over’

An example of a Distress call and message from a ship

Call:

• MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
• This is
• SEADOG CF4491, SEADOG CF4491,

SEADOG CF4491

MMSI 316123456

Message:

• MAYDAY SEADOG
• Position two miles south of Merry

Island

• Have struck a log and taking on

water. Engine seized

• Two seven foot Bayliner, white with

orange stripe

• Three people on board, one injured
• Preparing to abandon ship with

lifejackets, no dinghy

• SEADOG
• OVER

MMSI # is included if Distress call is preceded by a DSC alert

Action on receipt of a DSC Distress alert or call

Action on receipt of a DSC Distress alert or call

•DSC radios will sound an alarm and display a message with the
following:

•MMSI #
•Nature of distress (if available)
•Position of distress vessel (Lat and Long)
•Time of distress message

•Pressing a key on your radio will silence the alarm and automatically
switch to Channel 16 for the voice call and message

Action on receipt of a DSC Distress alert or call

•Coast Guard Radio stations have the ability to digitally acknowledge a
DSC Distress call
•Typical Class D radios used on pleasure craft cannot issue Distress
Acknowledgment signals
•Boaters should not respond to Distress radio traffic unless explained
in the following slides

How will the CGR Station Respond?

•Depending on the situation the CGR may do one or more of the
following:

• Confirm information (position, description, seaworthiness, persons aboard)

• Contact the Joint Rescue Co-ordination Centre (JRCC) with details on the incident

• Patch the JRCC, through the marine radio, with the vessel in distress

• Transmit a Mayday Relay or Marine Information Bulletin requesting other vessels

in the area to assist the vessel in distress and advise

CGR Response

MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY

This is

VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO, VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO, VICTORIA COAST GUARD
RADIO

MAYDAY

SEADOG is located two miles south of Merry Island.

Has struck a log and is taking on water.

Engine seized.

SEADOG is a two seven foot Bayliner, white with orange stripe.

Three people on board, one injury.

They are preparing to abandon ship with lifejackets, no dinghy.

Any vessels in the area able to assist, contact Victoria Coast Guard Radio giving position and estimated time
of arrival.

VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO

OVER

How do I respond once I receive a Distress Signal?

•If you are in the vicinity of the vessel in distress and:

•Are able to render assistance you should defer acknowledgement
for a short period to allow the CGR Station to acknowledge the
message first without interference

•Are able to help you should proceed towards the distress vessel’s
location while monitoring the radio and CGR station traffic

•Are asked by the CG, you may respond with speed and ETA

Take care not to cause interference with CGR traffic.

How do I respond to CGR?

MAYDAY
VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO, VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO, VICTORIA
COAST GUARD RADIO
This is
EAGLE, EAGLE, EAGLE
Received MAYDAY
Position Plumper Cove. ETA to SEADOG two zero minutes.
-- or --
Position Plumper Cove. Proceeding to SEADOG. ETA two zero minutes.
EAGLE
OVER

What if the distress message has not been
acknowledged by a CGR station?
•Acknowledge the Distress message by stating the following:

• The distress signal MAYDAY (once)
• The name of the vessel in distress (three times)
• The words ‘This is’
• The name of the vessel acknowledging receipt (three times)
• The words ‘Received Mayday’
• Any information that might be pertinent to the vessel in distress (speed and

ETA)

• The name of the vessel acknowledging receipt
• The word ‘over’

A vessel responds

MAYDAY
SEADOG, SEADOG, SEADOG
This is
MOONBEAMER, MOONBEAMER, MOONBEAMER
RECEIVED MAYDAY
I am located approximately one mile south and proceeding to your location to
render assistance ETA approximately one zero minutes
MOONBEAMER
OVER

Relaying a Message

•If you receive a Distress message and are not in a position to render
assistance quickly note all the pertinent details, such as:

•The distress vessel’s name

•Location

•Nature of distress

•Description of vessel

•Number of people aboard

What do I say if I have to Relay a Message?

• The signal MAYDAY RELAY (spoken three times)

• The words ‘This is’

• The name of the vessel relaying the message (spoken three times)

• The distress signal MAYDAY (once)

• The name of the vessel in distress (once)

• The particulars of the message (location, nature of distress, description, number

of persons aboard)

• The name of the vessel relaying the message

• The word ‘over’

An example of how to relay a Message

MAYDAY
SEADOG, SEADOG, SEADOG
This is
PROSPEROUS, PROSPEROUS, PROSPEROUS
RECEIVED MAYDAY
Unable to assist.
STAND BY, will relay for you.
OVER

An example of how to relay a Message

MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY
This is
PROSPEROUS, PROSPEROUS, PROSPEROUS
MAYDAY
SEADOG is located two miles south of Merry Island.
Has struck a log and is taking on water.
Engine seized.
SEADOG is a two seven foot Bayliner, white with orange stripe.
Three people on board, one injury.
They are preparing to abandon ship with lifejackets, no dinghy.
PROSPEROUS
OVER

If you have acknowledged receipt or relayed a
distress message

•Contact the nearest CGR Station if this station
is unaware of the distress situation

•Forward information to Search and Rescue

•Cease all transmissions that may interfere
with traffic between Search and Rescue
stations and the vessel in distress.

What is Seelonce Mayday and how is it imposed?

•MAYDAY (once)
•The name of the vessel causing interference (spoken three times)
•The words ‘This is’
•The name of the vessel in distress (spoken three times)
•The words ‘Seelonce Mayday’ (once)
•A short message (Distress traffic in progress stop transmitting)
•The word ‘out’

An example of a Seelonce Mayday

MAYDAY
SUNFLIGHT, SUNFLIGHT, SUNFLIGHT
This is
SEADOG, SEADOG, SEADOG
SEELONCE MAYDAY
Distress traffic in progress stop transmitting
STOP TRANSMITTING
OUT

What is Seelonce Distress and how is it imposed?

•MAYDAY (once)

•All Stations (spoken three times)

•The words ‘This is’

•The name of the vessel not in distress
(spoken three times)

•The words ‘Seelonce Distress’

•The word ‘out’

An example of Seelonce Distress being imposed

MAYDAY
ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS
This is
MOONBEAMER, MOONBEAMER, MOONBEAMER
SEELONCE DISTRESS
Distress traffic in progress
STOP TRANSMITTING
OUT

An example of Seelonce Distress being imposed by CGR

MAYDAY
ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS
This is
VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO,
VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO,
VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO
SEELONCE DISTRESS
Cease Transmitting.
VICTORIA COAST GUARD RADIO
OUT

How is a Distress Call Cancelled?

• MAYDAY (once)
• The words ‘All Stations’ (spoken three times)
• The words ‘This is’
• The name of the station transmitting the message
• The filing time of the message
• The name of the vessel in distress
• The words ‘Seelonce Feenee’
• A short, plain language description of why the distress situation is being

cancelled

• The name of the station cancelling the distress
•The word ‘out’

How is a distress call cancelled?

•The outlined procedures is to allow for the resumption of regular
service on the Distress frequency or channel
•A normal call to CGR station must be made advising that a vessel is no
longer in distress and the distress is cancelled
•If CGR is involved they should be the ones to cancel the distress

An example of a Seelonce Feenee

MAYDAY
ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS
This is
MOONBEAMER, MOONBEAMER, MOONBEAMER
One eight three zero Pacific standard time
SEADOG
SEELONCE FEENEE
All three persons safe on aboard this vessel. SEADOG has sunk. We are
transporting crew to Fishermans Cove
MOONBEAMER
OUT

Quizizz Time

Lesson Confirmation

Q1. Why is it important to follow radio procedures?

Q2. What is a Mayday?

Q3. What is a Seelonce Distress?

Q4. What is a Seelonce Feenee?

In this lesson we looked at…

•Priority
•Distress Traffic
•Distress Procedure Using DSC
•Distress Call and Message
•Action on Receipt of a DSC Alert or Call
•Action By Other Vessels
•Relay of a Distress Message
•Imposition of Silence
•Cancellation of Distress

Questions?

Restricted Operator’s
Certificate (Maritime) Course

Section 6
Distress Communications