Urgency & Safety vhf communications

General:

Can:

  • Define the terms: Distress, Urgency and Safety

Urgency:

Understands:

  • An Urgency Announcement should be followed by an Urgency voice call and message
  • “Pan-Pan” is the Urgency signal proword
  • Medical advice should be requested using an Urgency call
  • “Radio medical advice” is requested using an Urgency call

Can:

  • Decide when to send an Urgency call and message 
  • Construct and send an Urgency call and message

Safety:

Understands:

  • A Safety Announcement should be followed by a Securité voice call and message
  • “Securité” is the safety signal proword
  • The preferred option is for a ship station to relay safety information to a coast station

Can:

  • Construct a Safety call and message 

Can:

  • Define the terms: Distress, Urgency and Safety

Definitions:

Mayday

Mayday:

Used when the vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance

 

PanPan

 

PanPan:

Used when immediate assistance is required but it is not life threatening

 

Securite

Securité: (pronounced 'sea-cure-i-tay')

Used to transmit information about the safety of navigation


Urgency - PanPan

Can:

  • Construct and send an Urgency call and message

PIPDANIO - a way to remember what to include in an Urgency call:

 

PanPan

Identity of who you are calling & of your vessel

Position

Distress type

Assistance required

Number of people onboard

Information 

Over

Send "Urgency' DSC Alert

Select Channel 16 (HF) for voice call

 

Example Voice Call: 

PanPan, PanPan, PanPan 

All stations, All stations, All stations

This is RIB Erebus, RIB Erebus, RIB Erebus

My position is 50°.33'.13, 001°.28'.23

I am broken down and adrift

I require a tow

I have 5 persons on board

Over


PanPan / Urgency DSC Alert:

PanPan DSC Alert & Voice Call:


Example scenario's during 'Urgency' practical training:

Urgency Example 1) 

A member of your crew has been suffering with seasickness for the past 4 days and is now getting much worse. You’re no longer sure what to do so want to seek Medical Advice. 

Your position: 52° 27'.68N  002° 03’.59W 

Initiate a DSC urgency alert. Send an urgency message by voice.

 

Urgency Example 2) 

You have identified a leak through your lifting keel casing, the bilge pump is currently managing the influx of water. 

Initiate a DSC urgency alert. Send an urgency message by voice. 

 

Urgency Example 3)

You’re having engine problems on your vessel and it now won’t re-start, you have laid your anchor but have no means of returning to the marina. 

Your location: 52º 28'.11N   004º 14'. 68W

Initiate a DSC urgency alert. Send an urgency message by voice.

Safety - Securite

Can:

  • Construct a Safety call and message 

PIPDANIO - a way to remember what to include in an Safety call:

 

Securité 

Identity of who you are calling & your vessel identity

Information 

Over

Select Channel 16

 

Example Voice Call:

Securité, Securité, Securité

This is RIB Erebus, RIB Erebus, RIB Erebus

All stations, All Stations, All Stations

Be advised, submerged hazard identified at: 50°.33'.13, 001°.28'.23

Over


Safety / Securite DSC Alert:


Example scenario's during 'Safety' practical training:

 

 Safety Example 1)

You have seen a 20 foot cargo container floating in the following location:

40º 36'.31N   013º 32'. 42W

Initiate a DSC safety alert. Send a safety message by voice on an appropriate channel. 

 

Safety Example 2) 

You have identified a large trawler net marked with buoys but no lights shortly before dusk in the following location:

49° 27'.68N  000° 03'.59W 

Initiate a DSC safety alert. Send a safety message by voice on an appropriate channel. 

 

Safety Example 3) 

You have spotted a partially submerged buoy free floating in the following location:

50º 21'.31N   003º 18'. 42W

Initiate a DSC safety alert. Send a safety message by voice on an appropriate channel.