1. Phonetic Alphabet

Clear communication is critical when sending emergen­cy VHF messages. To avoid any confusion, use the pho­netic alphabet to spell out important information, such as your boat name and the names of your crew. Below is the NATO/International phonetic alphabet.

A = alpha             B = bravo             C = Charlie           D = delta              E= echo

F = foxtrot           G = golf H = hotel              I = india                                J = Juliet

K = kilo                  L = lima                 M = mike             N = November  O = Oscar

P = papa Q = quebec         R = romeo           S = sierra              T = tango

U= uniform         V = victor             W = whiskey      X = x-ray              Y = yankee

Z = zulu

2. Making Mayday Call

To make a Mayday call, tune to channel 16 and follow the instructions below. Remain calm, and speak clearly.

A)     Press the PTT and say into the mike, “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is (name of your boat repeated three times).”

B)      Repeat “Mayday, this is (your boat name)” one more time.

C)      Report your position as accurately as possible.

D)     Report the nature of the emergency.

E)      Report the kind of assistance required.

F)      Report the number of people aboard and the condi­tion of any injured.

G)     Describe the boat (length, design, color, and distin­guishing marks) and her present condition and sea­worthiness. This message should not exceed one minute.

H)     If there is no response, repeat the entire message. If there is still no response, try another channel.

In an emergency situation that does not involve immin­ent danger to the boat or people onboard, follow the same procedure but substitute “Pan-Pan” (pro­nounced pahn-pahn) for “Mayday.”

3.  Important Channels

CHANNEL 16 is the distress, safety, and calling (hailing) frequency that the U.S. Coast Guard monitors continuously. All vessels equipped with VHF must monitor channel 16 when underway and be prepared to assist in an emergency. Always initiate contact with the Coast Guard on channel 16; you’ll be redirected to a working channel. Never request a ra­dio check on 16.

CHANNEL 22A is the primary working channel the Coast Guard uses for communications with the boating public and is where severe weath­er warnings, hazards to navigation, and other maritime warnings are broadcast. The A denotes a simplex channel (ship to ship) in the USA mode, while the channel in an International or Canadian group (without the A) is a semi-duplex channel (ship to marine operator).

CHANNEL 13 is the navigation/piloting channel. Locks and bridges monitor channel 13, and it must be used for navigation and piloting pur­poses only.

CHANNEL 6 is the ship-to-ship frequency used for safety-related communications.

CHANNELS 9, 68, 69, 71, 72, and 78 are common working chan­nels. Switch to one of those once you’ve established contact on 16.

4. Distress Calls

MAYDAY is a request for immediate assistance in an imminent life- threatening situation. If you hear a Mayday call, listen—do not transmit. Determine if you are in a position to assist. If not, maintain radio silence and monitor the call.

PAN-PAN an emergency when a boat and/or people are in jeopardy but not in imminent danger. As with a Mayday call, listen to the pan-pan call, determine if you are in a position to assist, and keep radio silence if you are not.

SECURITE (see-cure-i-tay) is the signal that navigation information or weather warnings will be broadcast.