Radio a MAYDAY

If you are in imminent danger and need immediate help, radio a distress call.

Step 1 - Set up your radio

Switch your radio on to full power and turn to:

• VHF: channel 16
• SSB: 2182kHZ, 4125kHZ, 6215kHZ or 8291kHZ

Step 2 - Make a MAYDAY call

Clearly say:

1. “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY”
2. “This is [vessel name]” 3 times
3. “Callsign [of the vessel]” once
4. “MAYDAY [vessel name and callsign]”
5. “[vessel’s latitude and longitude OR bearing and distance from a known landmark]”
6. “[nature of distress and assistance required]”
7. “[any other information, e.g. number of persons on board, description of vessel, liferaft or dinghy carried]”
8. “Over”

Step 3 - Listen for a replay

• wait a short time for a reply, listening on the same frequency for an acknowledgement.

If there is no reply

• repeat the MAYDAY distress call
• if needed, work through all the distress frequencies on your radio and repeat the call.

If you make contact with a shore station

• tell them you have activated your EPIRB or PLB if you have one
• follow their instructions.

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