Position, Phonetics, Read-back and Radio Log

Prepare position before the call. Latitude and longitude must include degrees, minutes, decimals if used, and North or South, East or West; give the time and datum if relevant. Alternatively give an unambiguous bearing and distance from a charted feature. Read from a written position when possible, and have another crew member compare it with the display or chart before transmission.

Use the international phonetic alphabet for call signs, ambiguous names, and letters that matter. Speak numbers clearly and in an order the receiver can write. Break a long message into short groups, pause for acknowledgement, and read back safety-critical instructions, coordinates, channels, and times. If the read-back is wrong, correct the specific item and obtain a fresh confirmation.

Maintain a radio log during significant traffic. Record UTC or the clearly stated time basis, station, channel, call priority, position, message, instructions, acknowledgements, and actions. Logging is not paperwork for its own sake: it prevents a relief watch from repeating an obsolete instruction and gives the skipper a timeline when distress, traffic, and navigation demands compete.

The handover should identify who controls the radio exchange, who controls the vessel, the current working channel, the last message sent and received, what response is expected, and the time for the next call. If the operator becomes overloaded, say ‘stand by’ when appropriate, stabilise the vessel, and return with an accurate message rather than improvising numbers while losing situational awareness.