Distress Message

This message is a request for immediate assistance caused by a major maritime risk for the ship or the
persons on board
It will be sent to all stations by DSC, the indicated distress frequencies will be used.
This type of message can also be sent by VHF 16 or by any other available device on board (See specific
procedures SATCOM C, A or B, on following pages and in Bridge Manual “Use of the GMDSS station”).
By telex, these messages will be preceded by the prefix SOS.

IMPORTANT NOTE concerning the use of the DSC : Although the automatic updating of the indicated
position by calls sent by DSC is effective on the ships, it is imperative to check this indicated position
in order to be able to deal with any defect in the device.

DISTRESS BY DSC
Set the transmitter to the distress frequency (channel 70 VHF or 2187. MF)

On the DSC controller:

Select the type of distress (otherwise, a non-specific distress is transmitted)

Check or insert the position of the ship and the time (keyboard)
Specify the type of communication which is to follow: choose RADIOTELEPHONY (or
RT)

Send the Distress call (channel 70 VHF or 2187.5 MF)

Transmitter and receiver synchronised on the associated frequency (VHF 16 or 2182 MF)

Acknowledgement of receipt of the distress call by an MRCC

Send the message (vocal) in accordance with the following format

Example:

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
THIS IS 635206000 (MMSI number- 9 digits)
CMA CGM BIZET FUDL

IN COLLISION WITH GENERAL CARGO VESSEL ALFA

IN POSITION XX°XX' N/S XXX°XX'E/W
REQUIRE ASSISTANCE
SHIP IS SINKING or
SHIP IS RUNNING AGROUND
OVER

REMINDER OF THE DISTRESS AND SAFETY FREQUENCIES (DSC)

VHF Channel 70
MF 2187.5 kHz
4207.5 kHz
6312 kHz
HF 8414.5 kHz
12577 kHz
16804.5 kHz

DISTRESS BY IMMARSAT C
 Distress Message

Reminder: The SATCOM C is an integral part of the GMDSS system

INMARSAT Glossary:
LES or CES = LAND EARTH STATION or COASTAL EARTH STATION (coastal station)
MES or SES= MOBILE EARTH STATION or SHIP EARTH STATION (Ship)
IMN= INMARSAT MOBILE NUMBER (inmarsat number)

All the “priority distress” calls are automatically recognised by all the LES. If all the channels are busy, one of
them is allocated to the ship in distress. Each LES is associated with an RCC which organises the worldwide
system for search and rescue and to which all distress calls are automatically forwarded.

1st possibility:

Press the red Distress key: a non-specified distress call is transmitted to the LES

2nd possibility (preferable): use of the “Distress menu”

Check the position, the course and the speed indicated on the Satcom C screen

Specify the distress

Specify the LES

Send the distress message using the SEND key

Wait for the acknowledgement of receipt of the message from the LES and the associated
RCC. If there is no reply after 5 minutes, repeat the whole operation.
 Distress Message

DISTRESS BY IMMARSAT A (Telephone or Telex)

REMINDER : Satcom A is not part of the GMDSS system but, if in order nothing prevents using this
device to send the distress message.

All the “Priority distress” calls are automatically recognised by all LES. If all the channels are busy, one of them
is allocated to the ship in distress. Each LES is associated with an RCC which organises the worldwide system
of search and rescue and to which all distress calls are automatically forwarded.

Select “Telephone” or “Telex” on the Satcom keyboard

Select “Priority distress” or “P3”

Dial the number of a LES following the number by # for Telephone and + for Telex
Repeat the call if the LES does not respond after 15 seconds

As soon as the contact is established with the associated RCC operator, transmit the message
(vocal or telex) in the following form

Do not use the telephone for other communications while distress operations are on-going, in
order to keep the line free for communications with the RCC

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

THIS IS (Name of ship and code)

CALLING ON INMARSAT FROM POSITION

(latitude and longitude, or bearing /distance from an identified landmark)

MY INMARSAT MOBILE NUMBER IS

(Inmarsat number)

MY COURSE AND SPEED ARE

(course and speed)

give details of: THE NATURE OF THE DISTRESS, for example:

Fire /explosion
Grounding
Disabled and drifting
Flooding
Listing
Abandoning ship
Collision
Sinking
Piracy

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

And any other information which could assist the rescue operators.
 Distress Message

DISTRESS BY IMMARSAT B (Telephone)

REMINDER : Satcom B is not part of the GMDSS system but - if in order - nothing prevents using this
device to send the distress message.
All the “Priority distress” calls are automatically recognised by all the LES. If all the channels are busy, one of
them is allocated to the ship in distress. Each LES is associated with an RCC which organises the worldwide
system of search and rescue and to which all distress calls are automatically routed.

Take the hand-set and press the Distress red button

For 6 seconds minimum

Press key #
Repeat the above operations if the LES does not reply after 15 seconds

As soon as contact is established with the associated RCC operator, transmit the message
(vocal) in the following form

Do not use the telephone for other communications while distress operations are on-going, in
order to keep the line free for communications with the RCC.

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

THIS IS (Name of ship and code)

CALLING ON INMARSAT FROM POSITION

(latitude and longitude, or bearing/distance from an identified landmark)

MY INMARSAT MOBILE NUMBER IS

(Inmarsat number)

MY COURSE AND SPEED ARE

(course and speed)

give details of: THE NATURE OF THE DISTRESS, for example:

Fire /explosion
Grounding
Disabled and drifting
Flooding
Listing
Abandoning ship
Collision
Sinking
Piracy

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

And all other information which could assist the rescue operators.

DISTRESS BY IMMARSAT B (telex)

Press the red “Distress” button for minimum 6 seconds

Wait for the reply (GA+) from the RCC

As soon as contact is established, transmit the message in the above form or select a prepared
message in the “Distress Message Generator”
 Distress Message

DISTRESS BY IMMARSAT F (Telephone)

Reminder: Satcom F does not form part of the GMDSS system but, if it is functioning, there is nothing to
prevent a distress message being sent by this means.
All the “Priority distress” calls are automatically recognised by all the LES. If all the channels are busy, one of
them is attributed to the ship in distress which is calling. Each LES is associated with an RCC which organises
the worldwide system of search and rescue and to which all distress calls are automatically routed.

Take the hand-set, remove the red protection on NERA 77 DISTRESS console and press the
Distress button revealed.
For 6 seconds minimum

Press key # or wait 15s to initialize the distress call

Repeat the above operations if the LES does not reply after 15 seconds

As soon as contact is established with the associated RCC operator, transmit the message
(vocal) in the following form

Do not use the telephone for other communications while distress operations are on-going, in
order to keep the line free for communications with the RCC

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

THIS IS (Name of ship and code)

CALLING ON INMARSAT FROM POSITION

(latitude and longitude, or bearing/distance from an identified landmark)

MY INMARSAT MOBILE NUMBER IS

(Inmarsat number)

MY COURSE AND SPEED ARE

(course and speed)

give details of: THE NATURE OF THE DISTRESS, for example:

Fire /explosion
Grounding
Disabled and drifting
Flooding
Listing
Abandoning ship
Collision
Sinking
Piracy

ASSISTANCE REQUIRED

And all other information which could assist the rescue operators.