MAYDAY & Distress Procedures 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.
Read the first 6 MAYDAY & Distress Procedures flashcards as text
What is the international distress frequency for VHF voice communications?
Answer: 156.8 MHz (Channel 16)
Channel 16 operates on 156.8 MHz and is the internationally designated VHF distress, safety, and calling frequency. All SOLAS vessels and most recreational craft must maintain a continuous watch on this frequency.
In a MAYDAY situation, what is the role of vessels NOT involved in the rescue?
Answer: Maintain radio silence on Channel 16 and stand by in case assistance is needed
Vessels not directly involved in a rescue must maintain radio silence on Channel 16, monitor the distress situation, and remain ready to assist if called upon by the coordinating authority.
What does the term 'incident coordinator' mean in a MAYDAY situation?
Answer: The coast station managing and coordinating all SAR communications
The incident coordinator is the coast station (typically HM Coastguard in UK waters) that takes control of all radio communications and coordinates the SAR response to a MAYDAY.
What is the correct format for giving a vessel's position in a MAYDAY message?
Answer: Latitude and longitude, or bearing and distance from a known landmark
Position in a MAYDAY should be given as latitude and longitude (e.g., 50 degrees 15 minutes North, 004 degrees 30 minutes West) or as a bearing and distance from a prominent known landmark.
What is the purpose of a SART (Search and Rescue Transponder)?
Answer: It responds to radar signals from searching vessels and aircraft, creating a line of blips on their radar
A SART responds to X-band radar transmissions from searching vessels or aircraft, creating a distinctive line of 12 dots on the searching vessel's radar screen pointing towards the SART's location.
How is a PAN PAN message structured differently from a MAYDAY?
Answer: PAN PAN is spoken three times, then the same format as MAYDAY but indicating urgent rather than distress
A PAN PAN message begins with PAN PAN spoken three times, then follows a similar format to MAYDAY (vessel name, position, nature of urgency, persons on board, assistance required) but communicates urgency rather than immediate distress.
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Sources & references
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- rya.org.uk — Score release, eligibility, fees, exam format, registration deadline, test delivery · verified Oct 2026