Mayday vs Pan-Pan vs Sécurité Explained
This content is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute professional maritime safety advice, navigation guidance, or emergency response training. Always follow official Coast Guard regulations, NOAA weather advisories, manufacturer instructions, and certified training programs. In emergencies, contact the Coast Guard immediately on VHF Channel 16 or call 911. Sonark Marine is an authorized retailer of marine electronics and does not provide professional maritime certification, safety training, or emergency response services.
The three priority levels for serious marine radio traffic are Mayday, Pan-Pan, and Sécurité. Use the right one to get the right response—fast—without clogging emergency channels.
What this page covers: When to use each call, the short scripts you can read under stress, and the DSC distress flow (Channel 70 data alert + voice call on Channel 16). You’ll also see what information rescuers need: position (lat/long), nature of distress, and persons on board.
Three priority levels exist for urgent and safety-related marine communications: Mayday, Pan-Pan, and Sécurité. Knowing which one to use matters. If you under-call a real emergency, help may arrive too late. If you over-call, you can block the channel when someone else needs it.
Understanding the three priority levels
These French-origin terms are recognized internationally and used on VHF Channel 16 for voice calls. Each has a specific meaning and urgency level.
Mayday — grave and imminent danger
Use Mayday when there is immediate danger to human life or the vessel.
Examples:
- Vessel is sinking, capsizing, or taking on water uncontrollably
- Fire onboard or explosion risk
- Man overboard with immediate risk (night, strong current, heavy seas)
- Life-threatening medical emergency requiring urgent evacuation
- Collision or grounding with imminent danger
Pan-Pan — urgent, but not immediately life-threatening
Use Pan-Pan for urgent situations that threaten safety but are not yet life-threatening.
Examples:
- Mechanical failure drifting toward hazards (rocks, surf, shipping lane)
- Lost in fog or low visibility and unsure of position
- Injuries requiring assistance but not immediate evacuation
- Fuel shortage while still stable and not in immediate danger
Sécurité — safety information broadcast
Use Sécurité to warn other vessels about hazards or dangerous conditions.
Examples:
- Hazards to navigation (floating debris, unlit objects, derelict vessels)
- Severe weather warnings in a defined area
- Restricted visibility (dense fog) with location details
DSC distress procedure (Channel 70 + voice on 16)
If your radio supports DSC (Digital Selective Calling) and it’s properly configured, you can send a DSC distress alert. DSC uses Channel 70 for data (no voice). After sending DSC, you still make a voice call on Channel 16.
- Step 1: Press/hold the DSC distress button (per your radio instructions)
- Step 2: Switch/confirm you are on Channel 16
- Step 3: Make the appropriate voice call (Mayday / Pan-Pan / Sécurité)
How to make a proper Mayday call (voice)
Use VHF Channel 16. Speak slowly and clearly. Don’t improvise—follow a structure. If you’re stressed, read it like a checklist.
Mayday script (read this)
- “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” (repeat 3 times)
- “This is [vessel name], [vessel name], [vessel name]”
- “Mayday [vessel name]”
- Position: lat/long, or distance/bearing from a known point
- Nature of distress: taking on water, fire onboard, man overboard, medical emergency, etc.
- Assistance needed: rescue, pump, tow, medical evacuation
- Persons on board: number of people + if anyone is injured
- Vessel description: type, length, color, and any distinctive features
- Any other critical info: life jackets worn, abandoning to raft, flares deployed, etc.
- “Over”
Example Mayday call
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is Sea Breeze, Sea Breeze, Sea Breeze. Mayday Sea Breeze. Position 29 degrees 32.5 minutes North, 90 degrees 05.2 minutes West. We are taking on water and sinking. Require immediate assistance. Four persons on board wearing life jackets. 24-foot white center console with blue stripe. Over.”
Pan-Pan script (urgent assistance)
Use the same structure as a Mayday, but say “Pan-Pan” three times. Be specific about what’s wrong and what you need.
- “Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan”
- “This is [vessel name]” (repeat 2–3 times if needed)
- Position
- Problem: disabled engine, drifting, lost in fog, injury, etc.
- Assistance needed: tow, escort, medical advice, navigation help
- Persons on board
- “Over”
Sécurité broadcast script (hazard warning)
Sécurité is a safety broadcast to all stations. Lead with the word three times, then state the hazard and location.
- “Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité”
- “All stations, all stations, all stations”
- “This is [vessel name / station]”
- Location of hazard (lat/long or bearing/range from a known point)
- Hazard description (debris, derelict vessel, dense fog, severe squall line, etc.)
- Recommended action (avoid area, reduce speed, proceed with caution)
- “Over”