SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/boat-mayday-this-is

After saying 'MAYDAY' three times on the radio, what do you say next?

'This is', then your boat's name three times.

  1. Your exact location
  2. The nature of your emergency
  3. 'This is' and your boat's name ✔

Why: The Coast Guard procedure: MAYDAY three times, 'This is', then your boat's name three times. Next come your position, the problem, help needed and the number aboard. End with 'Over.'

Huh, didn't know that: Under FCC rules, MAYDAY is pronounced like the French expression 'm'aider'.

The dad joke
Why was the marine radio such a good listener? It always stayed tuned to 16.
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Sources

  1. USCG Navigation Center, Radio Information for Boaters https://www.navcen.uscg.gov/radio-information-for-boaters
  2. 47 CFR 80.314 Distress communications https://www.ecfr.gov/current/title-47/chapter-I/subchapter-D/part-80/subpart-G/section-80.314

Test yourself in the game

Boating & WaterWhich VHF marine radio channel is used for distress calls and hailing?Boating & WaterWhich radio call signals a very urgent safety message that is less serious than a MAYDAY?Boating & WaterIn a busy waterway, which device can call every nearby Good Samaritan boater at once?

That's stuff everyone should know.