How to Make a Mayday Call

How to Make a Mayday Call — Exactly What to Say

If you are at sea and in serious danger, a Mayday call on VHF Channel 16 is the fastest way to alert HM Coastguard and any vessels in range to your situation. The procedure is simple, the words are fixed, and knowing them before you need them is the difference between a fast response and a delayed one.

Here is exactly what to say, in the right order.

When to Send a Mayday

A Mayday call is for grave and imminent danger — when you believe lives are at risk if you do not get help immediately. Sinking vessel, serious fire on board, medical emergency, person overboard in serious condition.

If the situation is urgent but not immediately life-threatening — serious mechanical failure, medical concern requiring attention, person overboard recovered — send a Pan Pan call instead. Pan Pan is the urgency signal one level below Mayday.

Never send a Mayday unless it is genuinely a life-threatening emergency. False Mayday calls waste rescue service resources and are a criminal offence.

Before You Transmit

Switch your VHF radio to Channel 16. Confirm it is set to high power — 25 watts on a fixed radio. Press and hold the transmit button. Pause half a second. Then speak clearly and at a normal pace. Do not rush.

If you have DSC on your fixed VHF radio — press the red distress button first. This automatically transmits your vessel name, MMSI number, and GPS position. Then follow up with a voice Mayday call on Channel 16.

The Mayday Call — Exact Words

Say this, in this order:

MAYDAY MAYDAY MAYDAY

THIS IS [vessel name] [vessel name] [vessel name]

MAYDAY [vessel name]

MY POSITION IS [GPS coordinates or bearing and distance from a known point]

[Nature of distress — WE ARE SINKING / WE HAVE A FIRE ON BOARD / etc]

I HAVE [number of persons on board]

I REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

OVER

Then release the transmit button and listen for a response from HM Coastguard or another vessel.

Example Mayday Call

This is what it sounds like in practice:

“Mayday Mayday Mayday. This is Sailing Vessel Albatross, Sailing Vessel Albatross, Sailing Vessel Albatross. Mayday Sailing Vessel Albatross. My position is five miles south of Beachy Head, bearing 180 from the lighthouse. We are taking on water and sinking. I have four persons on board. I require immediate assistance. Over.”

That is all of it. Clear, complete, and everything the coastguard needs to respond.

What Happens After You Transmit

HM Coastguard will acknowledge your Mayday call and ask for additional information. Stay on Channel 16. Answer their questions clearly. Give them your position again if asked. Tell them about any injuries, your vessel colour and type, and whether you have flares, liferaft, or EPIRB.

Do not switch off your radio. Do not move away from Channel 16 except on the specific instruction of the Coastguard.

If nobody responds within one minute — repeat the Mayday call.

Pan Pan — The Urgency Call

If the situation is serious but not immediately life-threatening, use Pan Pan instead:

PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN

ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS (or COASTGUARD if you know they are listening)

THIS IS [vessel name] [vessel name] [vessel name]

Then give your position and the nature of your urgency.

Print This and Keep It Near Your Radio

The procedure above should be printed, laminated, and mounted near your VHF radio where it can be read in an emergency. When the situation is serious and adrenaline is running, having the words in front of you removes the risk of forgetting something critical.

FAQs

What channel is Mayday on?
Channel 16 — always. This is the international distress and calling channel monitored continuously by HM Coastguard.

Can I make a Mayday call on a mobile phone?
Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. A mobile phone call works but VHF Channel 16 is preferred at sea because it alerts every vessel in range simultaneously, not just the Coastguard.

What if nobody responds to my Mayday?
Repeat the call. Try again. If still no response and you have an EPIRB or PLB — activate it. If you have flares — use them. Keep trying on Channel 16.

Print this procedure and keep it near your radio. In a maritime emergency call 999 for the Coastguard or transmit on VHF Channel 16.