Mayday Form

Print this form and complete steps 5, 7, 12, 13 of this form now. Show the form to all members of your crew and instruct them on its location and use. Placing this Mayday Form into a plastic sleeve and keeping it near your vessel's radios could help in an emergency.

TAKE NOTE
 It is vital to establish radio contact with the Coast Guard, a shore based station, or another vessel as soon as you determine that an emergency situation exists. Delaying a distress call because of panic, pride or indecisiveness can turn a near miss into a disasters.

  1. Check to be sure your radio power switch is turned on.
  2. Select channel 16 on VHF-FM or 2182 kHz on SSB.
  3. Transmit radio alarm signal (if available) for approximately one minute prior to voice distress call.
  4. Depress microphone key, speak clearly and slowly.
  5. Say: "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, THIS IS

    (vessel name)_______________________, (vessel name)_______________________,

    (vessel name)_______________________, (call sign)__________________ OVER."
  6. Release microphone key, briefly listen for an acknowledgment. If there is no response repeat step 5 one or tow more times before proceeding to step 7.

  7. Say: "MAYDAY (vessel name)____________________________.
  8. DESCRIBE YOUR POSITION, DIRECTION AND SPEED OF TRAVEL. Use LORAN-C coordinates, longitude-latitude, range and bearing from known points.
  9. DESCRIBE THE NATURE OF YOUR EMERGENCY.
  10. GIVE NUMBER OF PERSONS ONBOARD AND EXTENT OF ANY INJURIES.
  11. ESTIMATE PRESENT SEAWORTHINESS AND IMMINENCE OF DANGER.
  12. DESCRIBE YOUR VESSEL.
    Length:_________ Type of Vessel:______________________________________

    Color of hull and trim: ________________________________________________

    Distinguishing features:________________________________________________
  13. End distress message by saying:

    "THIS IS (vessel name)_______________________, (call sign)___________________.
  14. If a 2-way communication has been established, additional information regarding on-scene weather, availability of lifesaving and survival equipment, etc. should be reported. If no contact has been established, repeat all of the above steps as often as your situation permits. Transmit your distress call on other available frequencies.
  15. Use visual signals such as flags, flares, lights and smoke as well as audible signals such as your horn, whistle or megaphone to assist rescue units in locating your vessel. Maintain radio watch on the designated emergency frequency.