RYA SRC Distress and Urgency Calls 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What information must be included in a Pan Pan urgency call?
- Just the vessel's name
- PAN PAN x3, station addressed, vessel name and call sign, position, nature of urgency, type of assistance required, and any other useful information (Correct answer)
- Only the position and vessel name
- The vessel's insurance number
Correct answer: PAN PAN x3, station addressed, vessel name and call sign, position, nature of urgency, type of assistance required, and any other useful information
A Pan Pan must include: PAN PAN (x3), addressed station (ALL STATIONS or specific coast station), vessel identity, position, nature of the urgency, assistance required, number of persons on board, and other relevant details.
Question 2: What does the proword 'SEELONCE MAYDAY' mean?
- The Mayday is cancelled
- All stations must maintain radio silence on the distress frequency — only traffic related to the distress situation is permitted (Correct answer)
- A test Mayday is being conducted
- The coast station is closed
Correct answer: All stations must maintain radio silence on the distress frequency — only traffic related to the distress situation is permitted
'SEELONCE MAYDAY' (silence Mayday) is an instruction for all stations to stop transmitting on the distress frequency. Only communications related to the ongoing distress situation are permitted.
Question 3: What does 'PRUDONCE' mean in distress communications?
- Proceed with caution on the water
- Normal working on the distress frequency may resume with care — the distress situation is being managed but not yet fully resolved (Correct answer)
- A weather warning is imminent
- Reduce engine speed
Correct answer: Normal working on the distress frequency may resume with care — the distress situation is being managed but not yet fully resolved
'PRUDONCE' (from French 'prudence') indicates that while the distress situation is still ongoing, restricted communications may resume with caution on the distress frequency.
Question 4: If you are involved in a collision at sea and people are injured but not in immediate danger of death, which call should you make?
- Securite
- Pan Pan (Correct answer)
- Mayday
- No call is necessary
Correct answer: Pan Pan
A Pan Pan call is appropriate when there is an urgent situation (injuries, vessel damage) that does not pose an immediate threat to life. If the situation worsens to grave and imminent danger, upgrade to Mayday.
Question 5: On which VHF channel should a Mayday call be transmitted?
- Any available channel
- Channel 16 (156.800 MHz) (Correct answer)
- Channel 70
- Channel 6
Correct answer: Channel 16 (156.800 MHz)
Mayday voice calls must be transmitted on Channel 16 (156.800 MHz), the international distress and calling frequency. DSC distress alerts are sent on Channel 70.
Question 6: What is the correct response if you hear 'SEELONCE MAYDAY' and you are not involved in the distress?
- Continue transmitting normally
- Immediately cease all transmissions on Channel 16 and maintain radio silence until you hear 'SILENCE FINI' (Correct answer)
- Switch to Channel 70
- Call the coastguard for an update
Correct answer: Immediately cease all transmissions on Channel 16 and maintain radio silence until you hear 'SILENCE FINI'
On hearing 'SEELONCE MAYDAY', all stations not involved in the distress must immediately stop transmitting on Channel 16 and maintain silence until 'PRUDONCE' or 'SILENCE FINI' is announced.
RYA SRC Distress and Urgency Calls 2
What information must be included in a Pan Pan urgency call?