Emergencymessages anddistressprocedure – Cobra Electronics COBRA MARINE MR F45-D User Manual

Page 9

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EmergencyMessages

andDistressProcedure

13

Keep the radio nearby. Even after your message has been received, the Coast Guard

can find you more quickly if you can transmit a signal for a rescue boat to hone in on.

“Mayday — Mayday — Mayday”

“This is Corsair — Corsair — Corsair” [or “Illinois 1234 AB“ three (3) times]

“Mayday Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB)”

“Navy Pier bears 220 degrees magnetic — distance 5 miles”

“Struck submerged object and flooding — need pump and tow”

“Four adults, three children aboard — no one injured”

“Estimate we will remain afloat one-half (

1

2

) hour”

“Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB) is 26 foot sloop with blue hull and tan deck house”

“I will be listening on Channel 16”

“This is Corsair (or Illinois 1234 AB)”

“Over”

It is a good idea to write out a script of the message form and post it where you

and others on your vessel can see it when an emergency message needs to be sent.

Marine Distress Procedure – DSC

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) is a semi-automated system that will allow you to

press the Distress button from any routine to make a distress call. When the distress

button is pressed, all other channels go to Standby mode and allow the digitally

encoded “pre-programmed” message to take precedence. Important information such

as your MMSI number, position and name will be transmitted on Channel 16. The

distress alarm will sound for two (2) minutes or until the alarm is cleared.

The DSC system allows you to choose a “pre-programmed” distress call such as:

“Man Overboard, Sinking, Collision.” There are many pre-programmed choices to

choose from. If a GPS is connected to your radio, your coordinates will also be sent

to the Coast Guard as well as to other vessels that are within range of the

transmission. DSC calling also allows the user to initiate and receive distress,

urgent, safety, routine, position request, position send and group calls between

vessels equipped with DSC capable radios.

WARNING
This radio will generate a digital maritime distress and safety signal to help
facilitate search and rescue. This radio must be used only within
communication range of a shore based VHF station with a distress and safety
watch system. The range of the signal may vary, however, under normal
conditions should be approximately 20 nautical miles.

VHFMarineRadioProtocols

12 English

EmergencyMessages

AndDistressProcedure

MarineDistressProcedure

Speak slowly — clearly — calmly.

1. Make sure your radio is On.

2. Select VHF Channel 16.

3. Press Talk button and say:

“MAYDAY — MAYDAY — MAYDAY.”

(Or “PAN — PAN — PAN,”

or “SECURITE — SECURITE — SECURITE.”)

4. Say:

“THIS IS [your vessel name or call sign].” Repeat three (3) times.

5. Say:

“MAYDAY (or “PAN” or “SECURITE”)

[your vessel name or call sign].

6. Tell where you are:

(what navigational aids or landmarks are near).

7. State the nature of your distress.

8. State the kind of assistance needed.

9. Give number of persons aboard and conditions of any injured.

10. Estimate present seaworthiness of your vessel.

11. Briefly describe your vessel (length, type, color, hull).

12. Say:

“I WILL BE LISTENING ON CHANNEL 16.”

13. End message by saying:

“THIS IS [your vessel name or call sign] OVER.”

14. Release Talk button and listen. Someone should answer.

If not, repeat the call, beginning at item 3 above.

VHFMarineRadioProtocols

F45D_General_Eng:8186-F55_General-Eng 11/23/10 10:46 AM Page 12

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