MAYDAY, PAN PAN and SECURITÉ

MAYDAY, PAN PAN and SECURITÉ indicate different maritime radio functions. Recognising the words is insufficient: understand the situation being communicated and the assistance required. Distress concerns grave and imminent danger and the need for immediate assistance. Urgency communicates an urgent matter involving a vessel’s or person’s safety without that same distress declaration. Safety precedes important navigational or meteorological safety information. Classification affects priority and the people listening.

This chapter introduces the subject and bounded exercises. It replaces neither training, equipment instructions nor applicable requirements.