Module 18 - Signals & Communications
Advanced Scenario Check: Signals
A night yacht loses propulsion 1.4 nautical miles upwind of a lee shore. The fixed VHF powers up but the masthead antenna may have failed, one crew member has a painful arm injury, and the yacht is drifting towards a pre-briefed 0.8-nautical-mile limit. The handheld works at deck level but has not yet reached the Coastguard.
The command task is concurrent: create sea room or arrest the drift, care for the casualty, prepare an accurate position and choose a proportionate call while testing independent communication paths. PAN-PAN may fit while control and time remain; MAYDAY is required if grave and imminent danger develops and immediate assistance is needed.
A strong answer sets an early update and a measurable escalation gate. It does not wait for the shoreline to become visually frightening, promise handheld range, or spend the remaining margin fault-finding while no one owns the helm and anchor preparation.
- Act on the drift and remaining time, not on embarrassment about calling
- Separate a powered display from proof that the antenna path works
- Allocate vessel, casualty, radio and position roles
- Use an independent alerting path appropriate to the area and equipment
- Escalate before the pre-briefed sea-room or control gate is crossed
Optional quick check
Section 18 of 18
The anchor fails to arrest the drift and the yacht crosses the 0.8-mile gate. Which response best follows the brief?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 20 August 2026 - Compass Revision editorial review.
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