Mayday - MOB - Number of Persons Aboard

[Gary Fox]

It's time somebody said, start from the beginning. I always get people to go through the motions physically, there's no point in knowing MIPDANO if you aren't turned on.

First things first:
Switch on the VHF
Turn up the volume
Select channel 16
Listen briefly before transmitting.

When you have sent your MIPDANO message:

Take your finger off the button and listen.

 

[LittleSister]

It's time somebody said, start from the beginning. I always get people to go through the motions physically, there's no point in knowing MIPDANO if you aren't turned on.

First things first:
Switch on the VHF
Turn up the volume
Select channel 16

Turn to high power.

Listen briefly before transmitting.

When you have sent your MIPDANO message:

Take your finger off the button and listen.

 

[RobbieW]

Turn to high power.

I think a radio that doesnt automatically go to Hi power when switched to Ch16 is the exception

 

[rogerthebodger]

This is the kind of May Day instruction I have next to my main VHF radio.

I also have the name of my vessel in phonetic alphabet

Delta
India
Sierra
Tango
Alpha
November
Tango
Sierra
Hotel
Alpha
Whiskey

 

[capnsensible]

If you are telling the rescue services that the number of people onboard includes the man overboard then they haven't fallen in so you wouldn't need to call them in the first place.....

 

[penberth3]

This is the kind of May Day instruction I have next to my main VHF radio.

One small point - At No.10 it says "release transmit button". It should logically say "press and hold transmit button" before No.1 - I'm assuming an inexperienced novice might be making the call.

 

[Stemar]

I have something similar, but it isn't near where the radio is now. Must move it. Milady would never see it if I went for an unexpected swim or got brained by the boom. Though, TBH, even with that in front of her, if she could turn the radio on and press the big red button in those circumstances, she'd be doing well.

 

[capnsensible]

Shows what a good plan it is to brief at least one person in your crew how to make a distress call before you slip in case you are the person who falls in!

It's no mistake that sailing instructors do this and also make mob first actions a very early part of the course. Self protections!

 

[penberth3]

If you are telling the rescue services that the number of people onboard includes the man overboard then they haven't fallen in so you wouldn't need to call them in the first place.....

Hasn't the thread agreed it's the number of people who should be onboard? MoB then comes under "nature of distress".

 

[JumbleDuck]

Thanks very informative; the idea of HMCG having every yachtsman's standard of navigation, underlying health issues and full psychological profile on a database is an interesting one, worthy of a satirical piece in a monthly magazine

Could you imagine what a psychological profile of a typical user of "The Lounge" would look like, assuming any of them ever got onto a boat?

 

[capnsensible]

Hasn't the thread agreed it's the number of people who should be onboard? MoB then comes under "nature of distress".

Doesn't work for me. My students will always give persons remaining. For me it's clarity for the rescue services. Up to you what you do however, it won't prevent a rescuer attending. And should you have that question in a VHF assessment, you won't fail with either answer.

 

[laika]

Hasn't the thread agreed it's the number of people who should be onboard?

AntarcticPilot's RYA VHF instructor stated this (see post #5). A couple of others guessed this was the case and I said it sounded plausible but I've yet to see something I would regard as an authoritative source. The word of one instructor is not necessarily gospel given that we have another (in the form of capnsensible) holding a different position

To clarify, this is simply a niggling bit of trivia and as has been stated many times above, SAR professionals aren't going to be perplexed by any small variations in procedure for clarification. Heck they would doubtless even deal professionally with Robert Redford.

 

[Sandy]

So you think the CG is better speaking to Auntie Mary, rather than the person on scene? ?

We actually spoke to people with the casualty and family. The more information you have the better.

 

[capnsensible]

AntarcticPilot's RYA VHF instructor stated this (see post #5). A couple of others guessed this was the case and I said it sounded plausible but I've yet to see something I would regard as an authoritative source. The word of one instructor is not necessarily gospel given that we have another (in the form of capnsensible) holding a different position

To clarify, this is simply a niggling bit of trivia and as has been stated many times above, SAR professionals aren't going to be perplexed by any small variations in procedure for clarification. Heck they would doubtless even deal professionally with Robert Redford.

I'm afraid I will always hold the view that if I've got five apples in a basket and one falls out, I've got four apples left in a basket and one on the floor.

The not fail bit was directly from a VHF Assesor that I asked yesterday. ?

 

[NormanS]

We actually spoke to people with the casualty and family. The more information you have the better.

Yes, but you are (presumably intentionally) conflating mountain rescue with boat emergencies. If my boat was sinking or burning, I would rather that the CG communicated with me. Auntie Mary doesn't do boats.

 

[Sandy]

Yes, but you are (presumably intentionally) conflating mountain rescue with boat emergencies. If my boat was sinking or burning, I would rather that the CG communicated with me. Auntie Mary doesn't do boats.

I give up. A family member might know what medication you are on, that might help the Lifeboat Crew.

 

[Gary Fox]

I give up. A family member might know what medication you are on, that might help the Lifeboat Crew.

The point is that reciting a stream of meaningless numbers, while you are actually sinking or burning, is a dangerous waste of vital seconds, and is 1000 times more risky than leaving the lifeboat/helo crew ignorant of Aunty Mabel's recollections about the time you had a blister.
Also, it will only be the skipper or owner's Auntie Mabel, the authorities won't be able to contact anyone else's aunty

 

[lustyd]

I'm pretty sure mountain rescue wouldn't call auntie mabel if it was the person having an emergency who called and gave their location. They call family and ask about experience etc. because they're trying to find someone. In a Mayday you're directly calling, so no need. CG66 or whatever it is now would be used if your boat was found unoccupied or you were reported missing and family maybe contacted. totally different scenarios.

 

[LittleSister]

This is the kind of May Day instruction I have next to my main VHF radio.

I also have the name of my vessel in phonetic alphabet

Delta
India
Sierra
Tango
Alpha
November
Tango
Sierra
Hotel
Alpha
Whiskey

You can get a Mayday instructions sticker very like that (and much else) free (UK only) from the MCA , here:
Navigation and communication : Publications - MCA

 

[Uricanejack]

RCC contacting the family for additional information may be useful. Particularly if a search is underway.
in fact for MOB it is where possible part of our procedure.

Ever since we found a commuter forgot he brought his car, walked off and caught his usual bus home.
We have added the bus company phone no to contact list.

The friend who’s friend or Family member forgot someone was picking them up, has happened a few times as well.