Distress

How to Make a Mayday Call on VHF — Exact Words to Use

Published · Last checked October 2026

Press the red DSC distress button for about 5 seconds, then on channel 16 say: 'MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. This is [boat name three times], [call sign], [MMSI]. MAYDAY [boat name], [call sign], [MMSI]. My position is [position]. [What is wrong]. I require immediate assistance. [Number] persons on board. [Other information]. OVER.' Use Mayday only for grave and imminent danger to a vessel or person.

A DSC control panel with a red distress button and a screen showing a received distress alert
A DSC panel with its red distress button. Pressing it sends your position and MMSI to every station in range. Photo: Billlion, CC BY-SA 3.0.
The Mayday procedure: press the DSC distress button, then on channel 16 the voice call line by line from MAYDAY three times to OVER
The DSC alert, then the voice call. Keep a copy by the radio.

Mayday or Pan-Pan?

Choosing the right priority.
PriorityWhenExamples
MAYDAY (distress)Grave and imminent danger; immediate assistance neededSinking, fire out of control, man overboard, life-threatening injury
PAN-PAN (urgency)Urgent, but not grave and imminent dangerEngine failure drifting towards rocks, medical advice needed, lost rudder in open water
SÉCURITÉ (safety)Navigational or weather warningA floating container in a channel

The DSC alert first

  1. Lift the cover over the red DISTRESS button.
  2. If there is time, select the nature of distress.
  3. Press and hold for about 5 seconds until the alert is sent. The radio sends your MMSI and GPS position.
  4. Wait about 15 seconds for an acknowledgement, then make the voice call on channel 16.
An orange and blue Shannon-class RNLI all-weather lifeboat moored in Eyemouth harbour
A Shannon-class RNLI lifeboat at Eyemouth. A Mayday call can bring one to you. Photo: Ojsyork, CC BY 4.0.

Cancelling a false alert

If you send a DSC alert by mistake, switch the radio off and on, then on channel 16 say: 'ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS. This is [boat name three times], [call sign], [MMSI]. Cancel my distress alert of [date and time UTC]. OVER.' False alerts happen; not cancelling them wastes rescue resources.

Learn the full procedure in the VHF and DSC lesson.

The rule in full

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Frequently asked questions

What channel is used for a Mayday?

VHF channel 16, after a DSC distress alert on channel 70 (sent automatically by the red button).

Can I make a Mayday without a radio licence?

Yes. In a genuine emergency anyone may use any radio to call for help.

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