Mayday, Distress Signals & Abandon-Ship Decisions Source: https://noinbox.dev/survival/solutions/marine-distress-and-abandon-ship.html Immediate rule Five practical skills Use these steps for preparation and decision-making. Emergency responders and live warnings take priority. Send a distress alert - For a life-threatening maritime emergency, activate a correctly configured DSC distress alert if equipped. - On marine VHF, call MAYDAY on Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) and listen for a response. - Use a registered EPIRB/PLB as designed when needed, especially beyond reliable VHF or phone coverage. Transmit essential facts - Say MAYDAY three times; identify your vessel by name and call sign/MMSI if known. - State precise position, nature of distress, assistance needed and the number of people onboard. - Add relevant injuries, vessel description and other hazards; remain on the radio when possible. Understand the different alarms - MAYDAY is for immediate grave danger; urgency and safety calls use different procedures taught in marine radio training. - A DSC radio needs correctly programmed MMSI and a reliable GPS input to include your position automatically. - Avoid testing a live distress alert; use built-in test modes and registration instructions. Prepare but avoid premature abandonment - Account for all crew, distribute lifejackets and ready the raft, grab bag, beacon and signaling equipment. - Remain with the vessel while it is safer than entering the water or a raft, unless fire, sinking or rescuers require departure. - When abandoning is necessary, follow liferaft instructions, avoid entering cold water where possible and keep people together. Survive while waiting for rescue - Once in a survival craft, keep people secure, out of the water and as protected from wind and spray as possible. - Keep beacon antennas and distress signals operated according to manufacturer instructions; follow rescue instructions. - Treat cold-water exposure and injuries, limit unnecessary movement and use available visibility aids when rescuers approach. Practice before an emergency - Write a MAYDAY script with your vessel name and example coordinates. - Check your DSC/MMSI/GPS connection and beacon registration before departure. - Show passengers where the life raft and distress signals are stored. Safety and local guidance Training, weather, the vessel manufacturer, local laws and emergency services take precedence over these general notes. The correct response depends on real conditions. - RNLI — boating and sailing safety - RNLI — how to call for help at sea - US Coast Guard — VHF MAYDAY procedure - NWS — boating in thunderstorms Review current official advice before applying high-risk guidance. Related guides