Emergency Radio Hail?

I think I know what to call on my radio in an emergency, but not positive. Having been involved in an real life drama recently, I would like to know the proper way to hail help in an emergency. What are the exact words I want to say on the radio. How often do you repeat. What is the protocol please?. Thanks for any assistance my friends.

Eduardo

I think I know what to call on my radio in an emergency, but not positive. Having been involved in an real life drama recently, I would like to know the proper way to hail help in an emergency. Scenario: I'm alone, a half mile offshore, a mile south of say Elk, and my brown Hobie yak completely sinks. What are the exact words I want to say on the radio. How often do you repeat. What is the protocol please?. Thanks for any assistance my friends.

Eduardo

That's definitely a "May Day" call.  Check out the link below for more info.

http://www.coastalsailing.net/Cruising/Seamanship/Radio/RadioBasics.html

Man couple weeks ago I was almost saying "Pon, Pon" "man over board" "freaking seals"...Not funny...but thoughts went through my head...

thank god it wasn't windy and no big swells...and I was able to self rescue!!! but ya know when your out 3/4's of mile to a mile and there's no one around but u...thoughts have a way of finding your head....

I would like to know from people that know the answer to what your asking because it is VERY IMPORTANT!!!  besides screaming like a girl....

Great thread lets get some comments!!!

Thank you Sir.

Info from link:

SAMPLE DISTRESS CALL on VHF Channel 16 (2182 kHz or 158.6 MHz on other radios)

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is the sailing vessel (name of vessel) _______________________________________, _____________ (give station ID if available then spell out in phonetic alphabet) ________________________________________________________________________________ Over.

Wait for response. Repeat.  If no response, check that channel is on 16 and power is on high and continue broadcast with full information as shown below.   Continue to broadcast until you leave the ship. Activate DSC signal on VHF radios equipped with this new feature.

Mayday, mayday, mayday, this is the sailing vessel ________________________________, _____________ (station ID).  We are a ______________ (color) hulled _________ (sloop, ketch, cutter, etc) at position _____________________, ______________________ with _____________persons onboard.  (State nature of distress, e.g., we have struck an object and are taking on water and preparing to abandon ship to a ________liferaft.  We are activating the EPIRB, DSC).   Repeat, our position is _________________, _____________ we have _________persons onboard.  Request immediate assistance.  Mayday, mayday, mayday.  Over.


 
SAMPLE DISTRESS CALL on SSB or HAM Frequencies

BREAK, BREAK, BREAK.  This is _________ (call sign) onboard sailing vessel __________________(name of boat).  Over.

Wait for response. Then broadcast remainder of message.   If no response, select a different band and/or frequency, ensure that power is on high and try again.  If no response, select international HAM radio hailing frequency ________ or a known cruiser’s net frequency _________ and continue broadcast with full information.   Continue to broadcast until you leave the ship.

BREAK, BREAK, BREAK, this is __________(call sign) aboard the sailing vessel ________________________________, _____________.  We are a ______________(color) hulled _________ (sloop, ketch, etc) at position ___________________________________________ with _____________persons onboard.  (State nature of distress, e.g., we have struck an object and are taking on water and preparing to abandon ship to a ________liferaft (describe raft if possible).  We have activated the EPIRB and DSC.   Repeat, our position is ______________________________ we have _________persons onboard.  Request immediate assistance.  Over.

 


Securite calls and pan pan calls are best left to the Coast Guard. Hail the coast guard with your concerns and let them make the call. Exceptions are if you want people to call you back directly.

 
SAMPLE SECURITE CALL
Securite, securite, securite, hello all stations this is the sailing vessel One More Time. We are towing a powerboat on a stern tow in the vicity of Sheffield Island CT bound for Norwalk harbor and have limited maneuverability. All vessels transiting the area should keep a sharp lookout. The is the sailing vessel One More Time standing by on channel 16 for any concerned traffic.
 
SAMPLE PAN PAN CALL
Pan pan, pan pan, pan pan, this is the sailing vessel Dame. We have grounded on the shoal at Channel Island but appear to be stable. Repeat, this is the sailing vessel Dame grounded on Channel Island shoal. Request assistance from any vessel in the vicinity in case of further distress. This is the sailing vessel Dame standing by on channel 16.

After you determine that everything is fine and you are underway again, cancel the pan pan.

Hello all stations, hello all stations, hello all stations, this is the sailing vessel Dame cancelling pan pan. Dame standing by channel 16.
 
 

Here is another great link with more info on Mayday calls:

http://paddlingtravelers.blogspot.com/2010/01/any-boater-who-makes-coast-guard-mayday.html

I was thinking real world like "I'm on a freaking yak, well off..and I'm just off so and so... and could really use some freaking help!!!"  and go from there... lets hope it doesn't happen because...well u know why...I still think screaming like a girl would get some responce...

That was the first thought that popped into my head as well, Sledge!

Seriously, though, great question and excellent info & links here.

In the absence of a vessel name, you can use your kayak make & color. Ex: MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY, this is yellow Ocean Kayak . . .

When we were at Catalina last month, I heard Ryan call "Coast Guard on Channel 16". I didn't know it was one of our group and the level of the emergency. I only heard one hail. The emergency was relayed to the CG by a boater but I never heard anything else on the radio. I was the only one on the beach that heard it. I wasn't sure what to do in that situation. When I found out later our Bro was in the water, I felt bad that I had not responded. Can a private boater respond to a channel 16 hail if no one else does to clarify the emergency?. I was not as prepared as I thought all these years in the salt.   

Pretty sure anyone can and should respond to a MAYDAY call, especially those close to the situation.

Man that was a wild ride...and he got his Yak Back...way to cool...

I wouldn't beat yourself up to badly...great thread...things we need to know, or if we don't, hope were a quick learner...

Thanks for sharing

was just looking at this this again and also ran across this post from a few years ago: 
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,6467.0.html