The Distress Message
The distress call isn’t addressed to anyone, and it doesn’t include the word “over” to invite a reply. That is because it is intended to be immediately followed by the distress message.
The distress message always follows the distress call, but the two parts are quite separate and distinct:-
the distress call is the initial “shout for help”, intended to alert listeners to the coming message;
the distress message conveys important information to potential rescuers.
The distress message is intended to convey important information to potential rescuers. No-one is going to refuse to help you if you don’t get it quite right, but you should still try to include the necessary information in the right order. This is partly because a practised routine is less likely to miss bits out, partly because the correct order puts the most important bits of information first, and partly because someone who doesn’t speak very good English is more likely to understand what they hear if they receive the information in the order they are expecting.
It may help to write the nonsense word MIPDANIO on the edge of the chart, on the back of your hand, or to include it in a notice alongside the radio, because it is an acronym for the distress message.
M - Mayday - Even though you’ve just said Mayday three times in the distress call, say it again at the start of the distress message.
I - Identity - The boat name and callsign (just once, this time. It may be helpful to add a brief description, such as “yacht” or “motor cruiser” before the name. If you have sent a distress alert by DSC (see page 67), you should also include your MMSI.
P - Position - This is the single most important piece of information, but it can be sent in either of two ways (see page 47).
D - Distress - A brief explanation of what is wrong, such as “on fire” “aground” or “flooding”. Don’t waste time explaining how it happened.
A - Assistance - A brief explanation of what help you need, such as “request a tow”, “request pumps”, or “request helicopter evacuation”. For most small craft incidents, any kind of help will do, so long as it comes quickly, so “request immediate assistance” would be most appropriate.
N - Number - The radio regulations say “ any other information which might facilitate the rescue”. The number of people involved is clearly relevant if, for instance, the boat is sinking or on fire, but less so if the incident concerns a man overboard or an injury. Don’t waste time with ages, sexes, ranks or relationships.
I - Information - Apart from the number of people on board, this could include a brief description of the boat (“ten metre motor cruiser with a blue hull and white superstructure”), or your future intentions (we expect to abandon into a liferaft in five minutes”).
O - Over - If ever you wanted a reply, this is it!
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