Can you write a mayday call with out checking up first.

I just read our laminated Emergency Radio Procedure, of which there are two copies, one by the VHF below, and one in the cockpit for the repeater - Makes sure we miss nothing out, rather than stabbing in the dark.
 
Mayday Mayday Mayday
this is YBW Forumite YBW Forumite YBW Forumite
MMSI no IPS Address call sign Powerskippper.
My position is at the computer desk in my house,
I am writing this for someone and he needs help,
I require immediate assistance
I person writing
Over


/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
This is ours:

Img_0683small.jpg


Hope you can read it.
 
I just mumble something like HELP which seems to work. Then they ask daft questions, like Position. Then I tell them that I smashed the glasses in the commotion. Then they turn up. Dont forget, I'm a bit of an authority on getting rescued.
 
Quote((((Mayday Mayday Mayday
this is YBW Forumite YBW Forumite YBW Forumite
MMSI no IPS Address call sign Powerskippper.
My position is at the computer desk in my house,
I am writing this for someone and she needs help,
I require immediate assistance
I person writing
Over)))

Your just trying to get four burly blokes in uniform with a sea King on the front lawn, arnt you c'mon tel the truth now. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif Most girls would be happy with a fire engine.
 
Thanks.

Presumably if I say it very slightly wrong - they won't slam the radio down and say 'nope, didn't get a word of that. Absolute gibberish' ?
 
As someone meaning to get my radio licence soon (and never had any radio training) surely if you are putting out a Mayday (as opposed to a Pan Pan) then the Coastguard pretty much know it's urgent and immediate help you need???

To be honest, although I don't know the order, I think most of that is pretty much common sense - i.e. they need to know what's wrong, where you are, HOW urgent it is (fire or sinking obviously a lot more serious than just engine trouble but it's still running for eg) and how many they'll be looking for if it all went horrible!

I do have a VHF on board, in readyness for the licence, and if I am brutally honest, if I was ever in dire straights, I would turn it on, go to ch16 and call for help - licence or no licence!
 
[ QUOTE ]
As someone meaning to get my radio licence soon (and never had any radio training) surely if you are putting out a Mayday (as opposed to a Pan Pan) then the Coastguard pretty much know it's urgent and immediate help you need???

To be honest, although I don't know the order, I think most of that is pretty much common sense - i.e. they need to know what's wrong, where you are, HOW urgent it is (fire or sinking obviously a lot more serious than just engine trouble but it's still running for eg) and how many they'll be looking for if it all went horrible!

I do have a VHF on board, in readyness for the licence, and if I am brutally honest, if I was ever in dire straights, I would turn it on, go to ch16 and call for help - licence or no licence!

[/ QUOTE ]

If you send a Mayday they will come - My understanding is that the CG would rather you sent a Mayday when it wasnt quite necessary, than not send one when it is definitely necessary.

They will also talk you through what they need to know if you are inexperienced, or not sure. e.g. if you dont know the position, they will help you identify something like a GPS or plotter, to provide the position.

It doesnt even need to be common sense - during the briefing of anyone who sails with you, if you identify the Emergency Radio Procedure card, they/you can follow the procedure without much thought.

As an owner, the card should be something which is available, (it's not rocket science, not expensive, and may be a life saver).

Richard
 
I remember whilst doing the VHF course some years ago, the Instructor played some 'real life' Mayday calls to us.
Crikey! what a revalation.
He played about 4 calls.
All were all to cock but the overiding message was the panic that could be sensed in the peeps voices!!
Yep you are right Dhoby, it's all about being able to broadcast the correct Mayday under pressure.
Difficult I would imagine.
As long as the procedure is to hand or at least if we know it off by heart near enough sort of!

mayday-- I am--position-- problem-- 3 peeps help!!

If you can clearly do something like the above the rescue wheels will get in motion.

I know the procedure off by heart but I,m not saying I would get it 100% if I was sinking!
Good Post PS /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
[ QUOTE ]
Mnemonic MIPDANIO

Mayday
Identification (Seadream)
Position
Distress (nature of)
Any other information
Number of persons on board
Immediate assistance
Over

[/ QUOTE ]

Agree it is MIPDANIO, but I thought it was:

Mayday
Identity
Position
Distress
Assistance Required
Number or persons
Information (other)
Over

Nitpicking, I know, but if everyone needed immediate assistance it would be taken as read and not part of the mnemonic. The key bit is to state the sort of assistance you need - medical, a tow, evacuation, pumps etc.
 
on the few that I ve heard, you have to admire the on the ball professionalism of CG, getting others off the air, getting exact details.Ok, some predicted order may help them work out what bit of info is what,as opposed to a garbled mess, but surely they are almost certain to ask the caller to repeat/confirm key info anyway?
 
Yep. The only Mayday i've heard right from the start was a French lady in the Solent, and it went something like ..

Mayday, Mayday .......
Hellooooo .......
Is there anybody there .......
Help! Please, somebody help me ......

The CG took over from there and quickly got the information they needed to assist the lady, who's husband it seems was suffering chronic sea sickness. So, its good practice to remember the Mayday procedure, so long as you don't get hung up on it when there's a problem, just make the call. Nobody marks you on it afterwards.
 
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