Distress Reception, Relay and Safe Assistance

On receiving a DSC distress alert, stop transmissions that may interfere and maintain a listening watch on Channel 16. Record the identity, position, time, nature of distress, and controlling station. Do not immediately acknowledge by DSC from a small craft; allow the Coastguard or an appropriate coast station to control the response and listen for the voice message.

The MCA small-craft procedure states that, if there has been no DSC acknowledgement after a short interval of five minutes and you are able to offer assistance, acknowledge by voice on Channel 16. Identify the distressed vessel, identify your vessel, say RECEIVED MAYDAY, and state the assistance you can give, including ETA if proceeding. Use any available means to relay the message to an appropriate coast station.

MAYDAY RELAY is appropriate when distress information has not reached a station able to coordinate help or when the casualty cannot transmit effectively. Relay the facts accurately; distinguish what was heard directly from what you inferred. Do not change coordinates, vessel identity, persons on board, or the nature of distress to make the message sound tidier.

Assistance remains a command decision. Consider your vessel, crew, weather, sea room, fuel, towing and recovery capability, and the risk of becoming another casualty. Follow the coordinating authority's instructions, post extra lookout, prepare recovery and first-aid equipment, and choose a safe approach. Report limitations promptly; an honest safe ETA is more useful than a promise the vessel cannot keep.