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Toni Trueba
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How to Communicate an Emergency at Sea: MAYDAY, PAN-PAN, and Securité According to the IMO
At sea, knowing how to speak can save lives
When everything is going well, the sea is freedom, wind, and the horizon. But when things get complicated, safety depends not only on the equipment… but also on how we ask for help.
That’s why the International Maritime Organization (IMO) created a universal language so that any vessel—whatever its flag or crew—can communicate clearly and effectively in critical situations.
This language is collected in the SMCP (Standard Marine Communication Phrases) and is based on three keywords:
MAYDAY
PAN-PAN
SECURITÉ
Each indicates a different level of urgency, and knowing how to use them correctly is essential for any skipper or crew member.
MAYDAY – Serious and Imminent Danger
The MAYDAY call indicates that life or the vessel is in immediate danger. It is used in cases such as:
- Sinking
- Fire on board
- Collision with risk
- Man overboard with real danger
- Abandoning ship
The call is made on VHF channel 16, following this standard structure:
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
From [vessel name], [repeated 3 times]
Mayday [vessel name]
Position [coordinates in degrees and minutes]
Nature of the emergency
Type of assistance required
Number of people on board
Other data (type of boat, color, EPIRB, MMSI)
Over
PAN-PAN – Urgency without Danger to Life
PAN-PAN is used when there is a major emergency, but no immediate risk to human life. Typical cases:
- Controlled water ingress
- Loss of steering (without imminent danger)
- Broken engine and controlled drift
- Person feeling unwell, not serious
The structure is similar to MAYDAY, but the keyword changes:
Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan
From [vessel name]
Position [coordinates]
Situation and type of assistance required
Over
Securité – Safety Information for Navigation
SECURITÉ is not a distress call, but a warning to other boaters about risks or conditions that affect the safety of navigation, such as:
- Buoys adrift
- Restricted maneuvers
- Floating obstacles or hazards to navigation
- Dangerous weather changes
It is also broadcast on channel 16, and then redirected to a working channel if necessary. The structure is:
Securité, Securité, Securité
To all stations
From [station or vessel name]
Warning: [relevant information]
Over
How to Say your Position Correctly
In all cases, clearly indicating your position is key. You must use degrees and minutes, and pronounce the full numbers:
“Position forty-two degrees fifteen minutes North, three degrees twelve minutes East.”
Avoid saying single numbers (“four two”), unconverted decimals, or abbreviations.
Remember: 1 degree = 60 minutes. If your GPS indicates 42.2583°, multiply 0.2583 × 60 = 15.5 → “fifteen point five minutes”.
Can I Communicate in Spanish?
Yes. Although English is the IMO’s standard operating language, the national language can be used if both parties share it (such as with Maritime Rescue in Spain). The important thing is to maintain the clear and internationally recognized structure.
Don’t Improvise: Follow the Protocol
Incorrectly using a MAYDAY, PAN-PAN, or SECURITÉ call can not only create confusion, but also mobilize resources unnecessarily or put others at risk.
Important Notice
This article is purely informative and is intended to improve general knowledge about safety at sea.
It does not replace regulated training or consultation of official sources.
For updated information, complete regulations, and official procedures, we recommend visiting:
In case of any doubt or real emergency situation at sea, always contact the competent authorities through official channels.
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