RYA SRC SECURITE Calls & Navigational Safety Messages — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the purpose of a SECURITE (pronounced 'securitay') call?
- To declare that a vessel is in grave and imminent danger
- To warn other mariners of a navigational hazard or important meteorological warning (Correct answer)
- To request urgent medical assistance for an injured crew member
- To establish a working channel with HM Coastguard
Correct answer: To warn other mariners of a navigational hazard or important meteorological warning
SECURITE is the lowest-priority of the three maritime emergency call prefixes and is used to broadcast safety information — such as floating debris, an unlit vessel, or a significant weather warning — that could endanger other mariners. It does not indicate danger to life on the transmitting vessel.
Question 2: How many times is the word 'SECURITE' spoken at the start of a safety call?
- Once
- Twice
- Three times (Correct answer)
- Five times
Correct answer: Three times
Following international ITU radio procedure, the prefix 'SECURITE' is spoken three times at the start of a safety call — the same convention used for MAYDAY (three times) and PAN PAN (three times).
Question 3: On which VHF channel should a SECURITE call initially be announced?
- Channel 06 (intership safety channel)
- Channel 67 (UK small craft safety channel)
- Channel 16 (international distress, safety and calling channel) (Correct answer)
- Channel 70 (DSC calling channel)
Correct answer: Channel 16 (international distress, safety and calling channel)
SECURITE calls are announced on Channel 16, the international distress, safety and calling channel, to alert all listening stations. The operator then states which working channel the safety message will be passed on, and switches to that channel to transmit the information.
Question 4: After announcing a SECURITE call on Channel 16, what should the operator do next?
- Wait two minutes of radio silence before transmitting the safety message on Channel 16
- State the working channel and transmit the safety message on that channel (Correct answer)
- Switch to Channel 70 and transmit a DSC safety alert
- Repeat the SECURITE call five more times before giving the message
Correct answer: State the working channel and transmit the safety message on that channel
After the initial SECURITE announcement on Channel 16 (including the vessel's name and MMSI), the operator states which working channel the traffic will be on (e.g., 'listen Channel 67'), then switches to that channel to deliver the full safety message.
Question 5: Which of the following situations would most appropriately warrant a SECURITE call?
- A crew member has a suspected broken leg requiring evacuation
- The vessel is taking on water and in danger of sinking
- A large unlit shipping container has been spotted floating in a busy shipping lane (Correct answer)
- The engine has failed and the vessel is drifting towards a lee shore
Correct answer: A large unlit shipping container has been spotted floating in a busy shipping lane
A floating unlit container in a shipping lane is a navigational hazard to other vessels — exactly what SECURITE is designed for. A broken leg requiring evacuation = PAN PAN (urgency). Taking on water or drifting towards rocks with imminent danger = MAYDAY (distress).
Question 6: Which stations are permitted to originate a SECURITE call?
- Only HM Coastguard on behalf of the Coastguard Operations Centre
- Only vessels that hold a valid Ship Radio Licence
- Only coast stations and port authorities
- Any vessel or coast station that has relevant safety information to broadcast (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Any vessel or coast station that has relevant safety information to broadcast
Under ITU Radio Regulations, any vessel or coast station — including HM Coastguard, port authorities, and individual recreational boats — may originate a SECURITE call when they have navigational or meteorological safety information relevant to other mariners in the area.
RYA SRC SECURITE Calls & Navigational Safety Messages
What is the purpose of a SECURITE (pronounced 'securitay') call?