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Distress and Urgency Calls Flashcards

6 cards from real RYA SRC practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

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  1. What information must be included in a Pan Pan urgency call?

    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.

  2. What does the proword 'SEELONCE MAYDAY' mean?

    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.

  3. What does 'PRUDONCE' mean in distress communications?

    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.

  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?

    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.

  5. On which VHF channel should a Mayday call be transmitted?

    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.

  6. What is the correct response if you hear 'SEELONCE MAYDAY' and you are not involved in the distress?

    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.

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Sources & references

Exam facts on this page (fees, format, dates, passing scores) are checked against these official sources; the date is our last check. Editorial policy

  1. rya.org.uk — Score release, eligibility, fees, exam format, registration deadline, test delivery · verified Oct 2026