Module 18 - Signals & Communications
Distress Reception, Relay and Safe Assistance
What you will learn
Maintain a factual distress log, support coast-station coordination and offer only assistance that the yacht and crew can deliver without unacceptable secondary risk.
The receiving skipper has two responsibilities: preserve the integrity of the distress information and preserve the safety of the assisting yacht. An honest limitation is operationally useful.
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.
Decide whether to proceed towards a casualty
A casualty reports loss of steering in rough conditions. Your yacht is closer than another vessel but has tired crew, limited towing equipment and a difficult lee-shore approach.
1. Record the facts
Separate the casualty's transmitted identity, position and request from your own estimate of distance and ETA.
2. Report capability
Tell the coordinator what lookout, first-aid, recovery or relay support you can safely provide and what you cannot.
3. Control the approach
If directed or choosing to assist, brief sea room, abort limits, recovery preparation and the risk of becoming a second casualty.
Sense check: The coordinator receives a safe ETA and clear limitations rather than an optimistic promise based only on proximity.
Common mistake or limitation
- Do not round or ‘correct’ the casualty's position without clearly labelling the new information and its source.
- Nearest does not mean capable; weather, crew, equipment, fuel, sea room and recovery method all matter.
- Do not interrupt the controlled distress exchange with non-essential advice or questions.
- Proceeding to assist does not remove the need for lookout, collision avoidance and a safe abort option.
Recap
- Log identity, position, time, distress and controlling station.
- Keep received facts separate from your estimates and inferences.
- State safe capability, limitations and ETA.
- Follow coordination and protect the assisting yacht from becoming another casualty.
Optional quick check
Section 15 of 18
Your yacht is closest but cannot safely tow in the reported sea state. What should you tell the coordinator?
Sources and factual review
Reviewed 20 August 2026 - Compass Revision editorial review.
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