Mayday call - Vessel name or call sign?

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colston

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I am just in the process of updating the VHF instruction sheet on the boat to ensure everyone knows how to make a mayday VHF call in an emergency, I bought a pre printed card with the bits to fill in, there are two parts a: Vessel name, (self explanatory) and b: Call sign, what would that be?

I am assuming it is one or the other but would be interested to see what other people on this forum think.

Thanks
 
colston said:
I am just in the process of updating the VHF instruction sheet on the boat to ensure everyone knows how to make a mayday VHF call in an emergency, I bought a pre printed card with the bits to fill in, there are two parts a: Vessel name, (self explanatory) and b: Call sign, what would that be?

I am assuming it is one or the other but would be interested to see what other people on this forum think.

Thanks
Click to expand...

That would be the call sign issued with and printed on the ship's VHF licence.
 
For a distress VHF call you need the vessel's name, and the call sign, supplied by Ofcom, as has been stated. If you have a DSC radio you also need the MMSI number (of 9 digits) which is also supplied by Ofcom, when you update your details of safety equipment held on board.
 
I generally tell crew that if they have to make a Mayday call, get the most important information out as soon as possible. I'd rather they got the position and nature of emergency out and let the coastguard come back and ask what the MMSI is. My mayday format crib sheet doesn't even mention the MMSI.

I know it's not the formal route, but with the latest formal wording there's a lot of unnecessary faffing about in the initial call. Bearing in mind that if I end up not being the one making the mayday call (i.e. I feel I'm better placed remaining on deck) I'm likely to be assigning it to someone pretty inexperienced.
 
lpdsn said:
I know it's not the formal route, but with the latest formal wording there's a lot of unnecessary faffing about in the initial call. Bearing in mind that if I end up not being the one making the mayday call (i.e. I feel I'm better placed remaining on deck) I'm likely to be assigning it to someone pretty inexperienced.
Click to expand...

Thread drift already :)

But yeah, my brief to novice crew is even simpler - press the red button and let the Coastguard call them back :). Plus how to operate the PTT, which is often overlooked but might not be obvious to a beginner.

This is on the assumption that I was the only experienced sailor, on a day jolly in the Solent with non-sailing friends, and I've gone over the side.

Pete
 
OK, I have my answer after I dug out the Ofcom licence document for the boats radio licence.

Point also taken about getting it right in instructing non sailing friends, "press the red button in an emergency" is equally important with a DSC radio.
 
The official procedure is published at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/static/archive/ra/publication/ra_info/ra292.htm

SHIP'S NAME.................................. CALLSIGN.......................................

DISTRESS TRANSMITTING PROCEDURES

(For use only when in grave and imminent danger and IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE is required)

1. Ensure transmitter is switched on and set to VHF Channel 16.

2. Then say:

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

THIS IS............................................... (Ship's name or callsign 3 times)

MAYDAY followed by ship's name or callsign

POSITION............................................................................................

NATURE OF DISTRESS......................................................................

AID REQUIRED........................................................................

NUMBER OF PERSONS ON BOARD and ANY USEFUL INFORMATION......................................................................

OVER

3. Listen for a reply and if none heard repeat above procedure.

EXAMPLE:

"MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY,
This is NONSUCH, NONSUCH, NONSUCH,
MAYDAY, NONSUCH, Position 54 25 North 016 33 West,
My boat is on fire and sinking, I require immediate assistance,
4 persons on board, are taking a lifeboat, OVER."​

As others have said, the MMSI is now supposed to be in there as well. "Help, we're sinking at <position>" will probably do almost as well.
 
Ignore the MMSI, it's included in your DSC alert automatically and they'll call you back on 16 not via the MMSI. The call sign is useful as they will use it to search the database for vessel type, size and colour for SAR ID - you may be one of many "Passing Wind" vessels out that day.
 
I was told IF you have pressed the big red button, then you must include the MMSI in a voice mayday so they can tie the two together. Otherwise they will assume they are dealing with two separate maydays.

If you have not hit the BRB then omit the MMSI number.

If you are close to shore and a clearly identifiable point, then "1 mile south west of Chanonry point" may be a lot quicker than the lat and long. No good saying 1 mile west of Tarbert (there are too many of them)
 
colston said:
OK, I have my answer after I dug out the Ofcom licence document for the boats radio licence.
Point also taken about getting it right in instructing non sailing friends, "press the red button in an emergency" is equally important with a DSC radio.
Click to expand...
When you do the course and get your operator's licence, you'll realise you've been missing out on some essential knowledge...
 
colston said:
OK, I have my answer after I dug out the Ofcom licence document for the boats radio licence.

Point also taken about getting it right in instructing non sailing friends, "press the red button in an emergency" is equally important with a DSC radio.
Click to expand...

On some (don't know if it applies to all) radios, its "press and hold the button" as a quick press just takes one into the dsc menu.
 
ghostlymoron said:
What is the procedure if you've got a handheld for which there is no ships licence?
Click to expand...

Well, you could either send a Mayday message as usual and hope that the CG don't insist on a licence number before sending the lifeboat or you could be terribly British about it and die quietly. It's entirely up to you.
 
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