Re: [Paddlewise] Distress Protocol

 It's been more than a decade since I took my VHF operator's exam (and I'm in Canada, where the protocol might be different), but I recall that if you're putting out a distress call for for someone other than yourself, the hail is 
 "Mayday relay, mayday relay, mayday relay" followed by an explanation of the circumstances.
 
 A notional example:
 
 "Mayday relay, mayday relay, mayday relay, this is [call sign]. I am a one person kayak at position [lat and lon from GPS followed by position in relation to local landmarks for boats listening that don't use GPS.] one nautical mile south of Shipwreck Reef. I am NOT in distress myself, but have just observed two jetskis collide with one another approximately one half nautical mile from my position, bearing six five degrees magnetic. Any vessel able to assist please respond when you've finished laughing..."
 
 Philip
    
 -----Original Message-----
 From: jhuntington_at_fastmail.net
 
  On Mon, 26 Mar 2007 16:50:33 -0700 (PDT), "Derek"
> My understanding is that "Mayday" is used when there > is immediate and 
present danger.  "Pan Pan" is used
> when the situation high risk, but not immediately life > threatening.  A "Pan 
Pan" could deteriorate into a
> "Mayday."

I went last month to the Long Island Paddlesport symposium and listened
to the USGC commander for all of the Northeast US give a presentation on
emergency communications.  This exact topic came up, and he said that
Pan Pan was really only for use by trained commercial mariners.  He said
if you are in any sort of emergency in a kayak, that needs outside help,
to call "Mayday Mayday Mayday".  Their radio operators will come on the
channel immediately if they hear this.

One person at the symposium described paddling up to an injured jet
skiier who was off his jet ski in the water with a dislocated shoulder,
and he called Pan Pan, since the kayaker himself was not in distress.
The USGC commander said next time absolutely call Mayday in that
situation--it was an emergency that needed outside help, and the way to
get outside help is to call Mayday on the emergency channel. And, of
course, you shouldn't even be talking on that channel unless there is an
emergency.
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