The following is for information:

1. International Code Flags

2. Maritime Emergency Radio Procedure

3. Knots to Miles per Hour Conversion Table

4. The Beaufort Wind Scale

1. INTERNATIONAL CODE FLAGS

2. EMERGENCY RADIO PROCEDURES

The preferred method of contacting the UK Coastguard is by DSC for all

types of calls (Distress Urgency and Routine)

NAME OF VESSEL: ………………………………………………………………

MMSI No: ……………………………………………………………………………..

CALL SIGN: ………………………………………………………………………….

• Check main battery switch is on; switch radio on, turn up volume
• Adjust squelch control until noise disappears

If you have a DSC radio, do this first:

• Press DISTRESS button once, select distress designation (if possible)
• If no automatic GPS interface, follow the menu instructions and enter your current position manually (if you do not know present position leave the last position as displayed)
• Press DISTRESS button again AND HOLD for 5 seconds until acoustic alarm stops
• Wait 15 seconds then continue as below;

Then for both DSC and non-DSC radios:

• Set the radio channel to 16 high power
• Press microphone and speak your Distress or Urgency message slowly

And clearly:

• MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
• THIS IS …………………………. (name of vessel 3 times)
• MAYDAY ………………………. (name of vessel, call sign and MMSI number spoken once)
• MY POSITION IS ……………. (latitude and longitude, or true bearing FROM a known point) – IF YOU DON’T KNOW, DON’T GUESS – GIVE YOUR LAST KNOWN POSITION
• I AM ………………………………… (sinking, on fire etc)
• I REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE
• I HAVE …………………….… (number of persons on board and any other relevant information such as availability of liferaft)
• INTENTIONS (eg abandoning to liferaft with hand held radio)
• OVER – THIS MEANS ‘REPLY TO ME’
• RELEASE THE TRANSMIT BUTTON
• KEEP LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16 FOR INSTRUCTIONS

MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND OTHERS ON BOARD KNOW HOW TO USE YOUR RADIO BEFORE YOU NEED IT IN AN EMERGENCY

This document was reproduced in 2011 courtesy of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA)