Mayday vs Pan-Pan vs Sécurité
Three priority levels for serious marine radio traffic. Use the right call to get the right response fast without clogging Channel 16.
Make sure your emergency gear is ready
Knowing the call words is only half the plan. A charged VHF, registered MMSI, working GPS position, safety gear, and backup beacon give rescuers a better chance to find you fast.
Mayday = grave and imminent danger.
Pan-Pan = urgent assistance needed, but not yet life-threatening.
Sécurité = a safety broadcast about hazards or warnings.
These terms are internationally recognized and commonly used over VHF Channel 16. They communicate the level of urgency so nearby vessels and rescue services can prioritize correctly.
When to use each call
Mayday — grave and imminent danger
Use Mayday when life or the vessel is in immediate danger.
- Sinking, capsizing, or uncontrolled flooding
- Fire onboard or explosion risk
- Man overboard with immediate risk
- Life-threatening medical emergency requiring urgent evacuation
- Collision or grounding with imminent danger
Pan-Pan — urgent, not immediately life-threatening
Use Pan-Pan when you need assistance quickly, but the situation is not yet a Mayday.
- Mechanical failure while drifting toward hazards
- Lost in fog or unsure of position
- Injury needing help but not immediate evacuation
- Fuel shortage while the boat remains stable
Sécurité — safety broadcast
Use Sécurité to warn other vessels about hazards or dangerous conditions.
- Floating debris, an unlit object, or a derelict vessel
- Severe weather warning in a defined area
- Restricted visibility, dense fog, or another navigation hazard
DSC distress procedure
DSC uses Channel 70 for data alerts. After sending a DSC distress alert, make the voice call on Channel 16.
- Send the DSC distress alert using the red DISTRESS button according to your radio’s instructions.
- Switch to Channel 16.
- Transmit the matching voice call: Mayday, Pan-Pan, or Sécurité.
Voice call scripts
Mayday
- “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday.”
- “This is [vessel name]” repeated three times.
- Give position, nature of distress, assistance needed, persons aboard, vessel description, then say “Over.”
Pan-Pan
- “Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan.”
- Say “All stations” or name the station you are calling.
- Give vessel name, position, nature of urgency, assistance needed, persons aboard, then say “Over.”
Sécurité
- “Sécurité, Sécurité, Sécurité.”
- Say “All stations.”
- Give your station name, hazard location, nature of hazard, then say “Out.”
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using Mayday for a non-life-threatening problem. Use Pan-Pan when it is urgent but not immediately life-threatening.
- Failing to give your position. Use latitude and longitude or bearing and distance from a known landmark.
- Talking without pauses. Say “Over” and wait for acknowledgment.
- Using low power when emergency range matters.
- Forgetting DSC when your radio, MMSI, and GPS are properly configured.
Important safety disclaimer: This content is general information, not professional maritime safety training or emergency-response instruction. Follow official Coast Guard guidance, NOAA advisories, and certified training. In an emergency, contact the Coast Guard on VHF Channel 16 or call 911.