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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.

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  1. What medical information prefix is used when requesting urgent medical advice from a coast station?

    Answer: PAN PAN MEDICO

    PAN PAN MEDICO is the internationally recognised prefix for communications involving urgent medical situations at sea, used when medical advice or assistance is needed but the situation is not immediately life-threatening.

  2. What action should a vessel take on hearing a MAYDAY if no coast station acknowledges within a few minutes?

    Answer: Transmit a MAYDAY RELAY on behalf of the distressed vessel

    If no coast station acknowledges a MAYDAY within a reasonable period, any vessel that has received the message should transmit a MAYDAY RELAY to ensure rescue services are alerted.

  3. What information should be included in a MAYDAY RELAY message?

    Answer: MAYDAY RELAY x3, your vessel name, all details of the vessel in distress as received

    A MAYDAY RELAY includes MAYDAY RELAY spoken three times, your vessel's name identifying yourself as the relaying station, then all the details received about the vessel in distress including their name, position, and nature of emergency.

  4. Can a MAYDAY be transmitted by any person on board, not just the skipper?

    Answer: Yes, any person on board may transmit a MAYDAY if necessary

    In a genuine life-threatening emergency, any person on board may transmit a MAYDAY regardless of whether they hold a radio licence. Saving life takes absolute priority over licensing requirements.

  5. What is the international phonetic alphabet word for the letter 'A'?

    Answer: Alfa

    In the NATO phonetic alphabet used in marine radio, the letter A is represented by 'Alfa' (spelled without the 'ph' to ensure correct pronunciation by non-English speakers internationally).

  6. After a successful rescue, who broadcasts the end of the MAYDAY situation?

    Answer: HM Coastguard (the incident coordinator)

    The incident coordinator, typically HM Coastguard, broadcasts the end of the MAYDAY situation using SEELONCE FEENEE to officially release Channel 16 from distress status and allow normal communications to resume.

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Sources & references

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