Issuing a MAYDAY or Pan-Pan Call: How to Issue a Call

Follow these steps to issue a MAYDAY or Pan-Pan call.

• MAYDAY Call: To issue a MAYDAY call on Channel 16 of your VHF radio:
1. Transmit "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY."
2. Say "This is (name of boat three times, call letters once)."
3. Repeat once more "MAYDAY" and your boat's name.
4. Report your location.
5. Report the nature of your emergency.
6. Report the kind of assistance needed.
7. Report the number of people on board and condition of any injured.
8. Describe the boat and its seaworthiness.
9. Wait for a response. If there is none, repeat the message.
• Pan-Pan Call: To issue a Pan-Pan call on Channel 16 of your VHF radio:
1. Transmit "Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan."
2. Say "This is (name of boat three times, call letters once)."
3. Report your location.
4. Report the nature of your urgent situation.
5. Report the kind of assistance needed.
6. Report the number of people on board.
7. Describe the boat.
8. Wait for a response. If there is none, repeat the message.