New VHF Mayday Distress Procedure

Skysail

Skysail

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Apologies if this is a duplicate post, I have searched and cannot find one.
I just read the Spring RYA Wavelength magazine and see a new Mayday procedure is recommended by the World Radio Conference.

Coastguards around the world requested that we include the call sign and the MMSI in the initial call and in the message eg:

Mayday, Mayday, Mayday

This is Motor Vessel Flam, Flam, Flam.
Call-sign 2GBH4. MMSI 235899982.

Mayday Flam. Call-sign 2GBH4. MMSI 235899982

My position is 50° 13’.20N 002° 44’.30W

Serious engine fire.

I require immediate assistance

Three persons on board are preparing to abandon to the life-raft.

Over

One hopes they will still respond to the old format!

Apparently there are no changes to a Pan Pan.
 
I just did my radio course, and the MMSI was not priority.
On a DSC radio, it's not necessary if the emergency call has been activated, and a non DSC it's immaterial?
 
if a total novice without any experience gets on the radio and says
"Help, Help me please"
the coastguard will respond and ask the necessary questions.

All that the standard format achieves is the maximum amount of information in the minimum time with the least likelihood of having to ask for repeats (as it comes in the expected order)

I wouldn't worry!
 
RestlessL said:
That is exactly how I was taught when I did the course in 2006.
Click to expand...

+2
I was taught this when I did DS 2010.

Recently whilst sailing in the Solent I was listening to a MayDay from a Mobo who had fire in the engine. The guy on the Radio called May Day and then explained the problem without following the correct procedure. The CG talked to the guy in a calm friendly manner and helped get the info they required. I think at the time the skipper of the Mobo was dealing with the fire at the time which he later reported he managed to put out.
 
I've always thought that the two most important bits of the message which should go first, are, the fact that it's a Mayday and position.

All the rest is a luxury which can be given if circs allow.
 
On a DSC most of that will be transmitted, so under ideal circumstances that's what would be expected in a non DSC mayday call.
But as has been stated already, just because correct procedure isn't or can't be followed, doesn't mean you won't be rescued.
 
Philthy said:
I just did my radio course, and the MMSI was not priority.
On a DSC radio, it's not necessary if the emergency call has been activated, and a non DSC it's immaterial?
Click to expand...

I was taught that if hou have sent a DSC distress, and you follow that with a voice distress, then you MUST include your MMSI so they can tie the two messages together and know they are dealing with ONE emergency.

Failure to include your MMSI in the voice message, and they won't be able to tie the two together and they must assume there are TWO current emergencies.
 
Like others, that's the format I was taught on my SRC course. I agree with ProDave that the MMSI seems important to let the CG match the voice and DSC messages together - although really the CG's systems ought to bring up the name of the boat when they receive the DSC alert, that's what we register them for.

Have to admit, I've been pondering what the best procedure is to teach crew (and write on a card) for coastal sailing. We're pretty much always in CG coverage, so pressing the Distress button ought to have them calling us back almost straight away. Asking a stressed and inexperienced crew, perhaps with other urgent tasks to do, to make a voice call as well seems like an unnecessary complication and waste of precious time.

Pete
 
prv said:
Like others, that's the format I was taught on my SRC course. I agree with ProDave that the MMSI seems important to let the CG match the voice and DSC messages together - although really the CG's systems ought to bring up the name of the boat when they receive the DSC alert, that's what we register them for.

Have to admit, I've been pondering what the best procedure is to teach crew (and write on a card) for coastal sailing. We're pretty much always in CG coverage, so pressing the Distress button ought to have them calling us back almost straight away. Asking a stressed and inexperienced crew, perhaps with other urgent tasks to do, to make a voice call as well seems like an unnecessary complication and waste of precious time.

Pete
Click to expand...


Unfortunately time may be wased by the coastguard trying to find out if the MMSI in the DSC call belongs to the tender to a yacht....A Yacht or a bl**dy great big cruise liner...Mind you the later would have followed correct procedures!

This attituded of press the button and hope is certainly not the way to go as all the coastguard knows is that a vessel of some sort might have a problem somewhere....This is especially true if the crew forgot to switch on the GPS as they have no idea where to start looking or send rescue 121.

The procedure taught to us is to follow the DSC with the Mayday on Channel 16 and it is only logical to include the name of the vessel and the MMSI number so the coastguard can relate your call to the received dsc alarm! Seeempleessss:) Nothing new..Just tightening up on existing procedures.
 
So let me get this right;

I spend extra money on a new DSC VHF, even tho my existing one works fine, because I want "hit the button response" to a problem. The radio sends the alarm, my location & the emergency type. I then have to repeat the call by voice, giving my call sign & the long, complex, MMSI to confirm that I am the same boat in trouble? :confused:

Or I can stick with my current radio & just make the voice call saying who I am, how many aboard & where I am & what the problem is.

So please explain to me again what the benefit of a DSC radio is? :D
 
I've always assumed that in the majority of situations it is likely to be the least experienced person on board that I send down to the VHF. (In fact that is what I did the one time I've had to respond to a real mayday.) I assume that I (if I've not caused the emergency by falling off) and any experienced crew will be busy dealing with whatever emergency we're having to deal with.

Therefore subtle changes in the Mayday procedure are really not that relevent.

I usually just teach whoever I nominate the absolute minimum to do the job without overloading them with details they'll probably forget and which might cause them to get confused & panic.

So basically:

1) How to make sure the VHF is on channel 16 (it's not DSC).
2) How to use the mike & PTT button, with a stress on releasing the button when you've finished talking
3) Say Mayday 3 times and the name of the boat
4) Read off the position off the GPS (or failing that the last logged position)
5) Tell them what's wrong.

After that I tell them the coastguard will talk them through the rest.

I also show them where the H/H VHF is so they can pass it up to me, if I'm still onboard.

Yes, there's a full procedural sticker & yes the call sign is noted, but in the real world that's likely to be too much detail for most crew.
 
Philthy said:
I just did my radio course, and the MMSI was not priority.
On a DSC radio, it's not necessary if the emergency call has been activated, and a non DSC it's immaterial?
Click to expand...

Well whoever taught you did not teach the procedure Ofcom want you to learn.

When you issue the verbal distress call after the DSC call you need to include the MMSI so that any DSC equipped boat knows that the verbal call is from the same boat that sent a dsc call and not a second emergency.

As for the boats call sign, that really is the correct procedure since the call sign is unique and your boat name isnt. But we have never used that in the UK and I suspect never will.
 
Beadle said:
My call sign is ZITS 9

If anyone thinks I'm going to call "Mayday Zits" They are out of their mind
Click to expand...

That would be a good name for your boat. You'd have no difficulty getting Pt 1 registered as "Zits 9" must be a unique name.

Did you have to pay extra for that call sign? You know, the way you have to for personalised number plates.
 
As my username suggests, my day-job is in aviation; there is a golden rule when things go wrong:-
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate - in that order

I see no reason not to bring that principle with me onto the water.

The priority is to command the vessel in an appropriate way that keeps her safe, then to navigate and only then to make a call.

Ofcom dont understand this. They are interested in radios and radio calls. they do not appreciate the practicalities.

I want my crewman in the liferaft not pussyfooting around trying to make the perfect call!
 
skyflyer said:
As my username suggests, my day-job is in aviation; there is a golden rule when things go wrong:-
Aviate, Navigate, Communicate - in that order

I see no reason not to bring that principle with me onto the water.

The priority is to command the vessel in an appropriate way that keeps her safe, then to navigate and only then to make a call.

Ofcom dont understand this. They are interested in radios and radio calls. they do not appreciate the practicalities.

I want my crewman in the liferaft not pussyfooting around trying to make the perfect call!
Click to expand...


#7 Today, 19:25
Vara
Registered User Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Canterbury
Posts: 3,797



--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"I've always thought that the two most important bits of the message which should go first, are, the fact that it's a Mayday and position.

All the rest is a luxury which can be given if circs allow."


Vara & Skysail get my vote !
 
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