VHF Mayday Procedure Change

SPR · 29 April 2011, 12:41

I just got told by an RYA VHF/DSC instructor , that the Mayday Procedure has changed:

Important, though minor changes have occurred to the distress voice procedure following the recent world radio conference. In short if using DSC distress alerting, not only should you pass your MMSI number, but also your international call-sign. Additionally, as well as passing your MMSI and call-sign in the distress call, it should be repeated in the distress message.

Mayday (three times)
This is - Name of vessel (three times)
MMSI number
Call sign

Mayday (once) – This is – Name of Vessel (once)
MMSI number
Call sign
Position
Nature of distress
Total number on board
Require immediate assistance – over

regards

Scott

Channel Ribs · 29 April 2011, 12:59

On page 4 of the spring Wavelength, or so it is said - not got mine yet.

GJ0KYZ · 29 April 2011, 13:27

Blimey, I hope that if I ever have to send a mayday I remain sufficiently composed to remember all that.

watersidemat · 29 April 2011, 13:39

i'm looking to fill a CG66 form soon and have registered for the mmsi number, is the call sign something you give yourself if the boat name is an inconviniently long for mayday'ing?

TonyC · 29 April 2011, 13:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

On page 4 of the spring Wavelength, or so it is said - not got mine yet.

confirmed (got mine yesterday

)

Channel Ribs · 29 April 2011, 13:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by watersidemat

i'm looking to fill a CG66 form soon and have registered for the mmsi number, is the call sign something you give yourself if the boat name is an inconviniently long for mayday'ing?

You should have been issued one by Ofcom when you applied for your free vessel licence.

Channel Ribs · 29 April 2011, 13:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by TonyC

got mine yesterday

gotchiguy · 29 April 2011, 15:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

You should have been issued one by Ofcom when you applied for your free vessel licence.

Ours is 2CVL9 and Martini II's is 2BNJ7 so obviously they bear no resemblance whatsoever to the name of the vessel.

chewy · 29 April 2011, 15:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by gotchiguy

Ours is 2CVL9 and Martini II's is 2BNJ7 so obviously they bear no resemblance whatsoever to the name of the vessel.

When did he say they did bear a resemblance?

Channel Ribs · 29 April 2011, 15:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

When did he say they did bear a resemblance?

Your not expecting Gotchi to read what he comments on are you lol

chewy · 29 April 2011, 16:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Your not expecting Gotchi to read what he comments on are you lol

No not really, I'm sure he just clicks a "random shite" button on his keyboard and it sticks a few random words together.

watersidemat · 29 April 2011, 16:10

just logged on ofcom and found the call sign.

SeaSkills · 29 April 2011, 17:36

Have to say - I'm not convinced that adding complication to a Distress call is a great idea

m chappelow · 29 April 2011, 17:53

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Have to say - I'm not convinced that adding complication to a Distress call is a great idea

i would agree with that too.

gotchiguy · 29 April 2011, 18:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

When did he say they did bear a resemblance?

I
I
V

Quote:

Originally Posted by watersidemat

i'm looking to fill a CG66 form soon and have registered for the mmsi number, is the call sign something you give yourself if the boat name is an inconviniently long for mayday'ing?

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

No not really, I'm sure he just clicks a "random shite" button on his keyboard and it sticks a few random words together.

Too true!

hobbit555 · 29 April 2011, 19:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Have to say - I'm not convinced that adding complication to a Distress call is a great idea

Well if they are going to reduce the coastguard service then the call sign is much shorter and there fore quicker to use.

If we are using DSC the MMSI number is sent that way any way.

Call sign is already used incase there were 2 vessels with the same name.

All vessel should be visible on a card or similar near radio position eg.
Vessel name
Callsign
MMSI
Length Draught Beam

and how to make a distress call and message

dnv · 29 April 2011, 20:11

Call signs are uniq to each individual ship, world wide. As said earlier, names are often given to more than one vessel.
In Germany all call signs are starting with "D". you can read further information from the cs, eg if the ship is registered in a registry for sea going vessel.

The reason to send out the MMSI on vhf ch16 is to make sure that the DSC is matched by the voice communication.

this site is useful, same information is available to MRCC's world-wide:
http://www.itu.int/online/mms/mars/ship_search.sh
This way MRCC's know who sent a DSC distress, what size of tugs might be needed, how many people are in need of help, etc. And whom to inform on land.

regards
Jan

alystra · 29 April 2011, 23:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeaSkills

Have to say - I'm not convinced that adding complication to a Distress call is a great idea

Agree 100%. While DSC has its advantages - slightly better range, position indication (if you've set it up), vessel identification and possibly problem identification, it still requires you to make a voice call. So it's just an extra complication.

I think for inshore craft the system is too cumbersome and just wastes time. Which is why the CG still listen on 16, albeit not with a dedicated earphone watch like it was in my day.

People communicate by voice. The VHF is a woderful piece of kit that makes medium distance voice comms. easy and clear. To allow a computer geek to stick a time wasting complicated electronic procedure into a vocal yell for help is a nonsense.

Channel Ribs · 01 May 2011, 12:11

We have put together a revised memory jogger sheet, if anyone would like a customised version printing and laminating for their boat please let me know and I will make one and post if free of charge.

Any suggestions for enhancing the wording are most welcome.

SPR · 01 May 2011, 12:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

We have put together a revised memory jogger sheet, if anyone would like a customised version printing and laminating for their boat please let me know and I will make one and post if free of charge.

Any suggestions for enhancing the wording are most welcome.

I suggest you read my first post again, for correct wording, you need to repeat the call sign and mmsi number on the distress part of call too...

yes it is clumsy but that it the new way