■ Distress -DSC communications on MF, HF and VHF

A distress alert should be transmitted if, in the opinion of the Master, the ship or a person on it is in distress and
requires immediate assistance.

1. Transmission of DSC Distress Alert

 DSC distress alert should be sent to coast stations - eg. in A3 areas on HF - and in A1 & A2 areas on VHF
and MF to other ships in the vicinity.
 As a general rule the DSC distress channel in the 8 MHz maritime band(8414.5kHz) may in many cases be
an appropriate first choice, in A3 areas
 After having transmitted the DSC distress alert on appropriate DSC distress channels (HF, MF and/or VHF),
prepare for the subsequent distress traffic by tuning the radiocommunication set(s) (HF, MF and/or VHF as
appropriate) to the corresponding distress traffic channel(s)
 If acknowledgement have been received on the below mentioned channel or frequencie(s), commence the
transmission of distress traffic on the associated Channel, RTF(Radio Telephone Frequency) or NBDP frequency.
 The distress traffic channel or frequencies are as below

2. Transmission of DSC Distress Traffic

 On receipt of a DSC distress acknowledgement the ship in distress should commence the distress traffic by
above mentioned radiotelephony distress tarffic frequency or channel.(If 2nd communication mode is J3E.TEL/SSB)
 "MAYDAY", repeated 3times
 This is
 the 9 digit identity and call sign or other identification of the ship
 the ship's position in latitude and longitude
 the nature of distress and assistance required
 any other information which might facilitate the rescue
 eg;
■ Distress Call
MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY,
This is Ocean Pioneer, Ocean pioneer

■ Distress Message
MAYDAY, OCEAN PIONEER 3FFS6, OCEAN PIONEER 3FFS6, FIRE BROKEN OUT IN
ENGINE ROOM IN POSITION 34.25N 139.34E ON OUR WAY TO YOKOHAMA
FROM SEATTLE MY ENGINES ARE STOPPED AND FIRE IS GAINING 22 CREW
ONBOARD. REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.OVER