The following learning materials are part of a Handbook in correspondence - Correspondence and

Communications in Shipping (V. Petkova, S. Toncheva, Steno, Varna, 2010, ISBN 978-954-449-492-6) and are
designed for developing reading and writing skills in the GMDSS.

GMDSS MESSAGES
Priority messages in the GMDSS
Standard Distress Message in the GMDSS. Structure:
Upon receipt of a DSC-Acknowledgement from the coast-station, the vessel in distress should commence
the distress traffic on one of the international distress traffic frequencies for telephony (VHF channel 16
or 2128 kHz), via satellite or by telex. Example of a distress message on VHF:
"MAYDAY"
This is:
- the 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity code (MMSI) plus name/call sign or other identification of
the vessel
- the position of the vessel
- the nature of distress
- the assistance required
- any other information which might facilitate rescue.
Example
(MMSI and name/call sign are fictitious)
"MAYDAY
- THIS IS TWO-ONE-TWO-TREE-NINE-SIX-EIGHT-ZERO MOTOR VESSEL "BIRTE" CALL SIGN DELTA ALPHA
MIKE KILO
- POSITION SIX TWO ONE ONE DEGREES NORTH ZERO ZERO SEVEN FOUR FOUR DEGREES EAST
- I AM ON FIRE AFTER EXPLOSTION IN HOLD
- I REQUIRE FIRE FIGHTING ASSISTANCE
- SMOKE NOT TOXIC OVER"

Nowadays special requirements have been set for reporting distress in case of Piracy/Armed Robbery
Attack Alert:
1. Ships name and call sign, IMO number, INMARSAT IDs (plus ocean region code) and MMSI:
2. Ships position (and time of position UTC)
Latitude:
Longitude:
Course Speed.kts
3. Nature of event.
4. Details of incident, e.g.:
While sailing, at anchor or at berth?
Method of attack.
Description/number of suspect craft.
Number and brief description of pirates/robbers.
Kind of weapons.
Any other information (e.g. language spoken).
Injuries to crew and passengers.
Damage to ship (which part of the ship was attacked).
Brief details of stolen property/cargo.
Action taken by the master and crew.
Was incident reported to the coastal authority and to whom?
Action taken by the coastal state.
5. Last observed movement of pirate/suspect craft, e.g.: date/time/ course/position/speed.
6. Assistance required.
7. Preferred communications with reporting ship, e.g.: appropriate Coast Radio
Station/HF/MF/VHF/Inmarsat Ids (plus ocean region code) MMSI.
8. Date/time of report (UTC).
Standard Urgency Message in the GMDSS. Structure:
"PAN-PAN (repeated three times)
ALL STATIONS (repeated three times)
This is:
- the 9-digit MMSI of the vessel plus name/call sign or other identification

- the position of the vessel

- the text of the urgency mesage
Example
(MMSI and name/call sign are fictitious)
"PAN-PAN PAN-PAN PAN-PAN
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
- THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-SIX-EIGHT-ZERO
MOTORVESSEL "BIRTE" CALL SIGN DELTA ALPHA MIKE KILO
- POSITION SIX TWO ONE ONE DEGRESS NORTH ZERO ZERO SEVEN FOUR FOUR DEGREES EAST
- I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH MAIN ENGINE
- I REQUIRE TUG ASSISTANCE OVER"
Standard Safety Message in the GMDSS. Structure:
SECURITE: (repeated three times)
ALL STATIONS (or all ships in a specific geographical area, or to a specific station) (repeated three times)
This is:
- the 9-digit MMSI of the vessel plus name/call sign or other identification
- the text of the safety message.
Example
(MMSI, name/call sign and geographical names are fictitious)
"SECURITE SECURITE SECURITE
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
ALL STATIONS
- THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-SIX-EIGHT-ZERO
- MOTORVESSEL "BIRTE" CALL SIGN DELTA ALPHA MIKE KILO
- MARION BIGHT LIGHTBUOY BRAVO THREE POSITION TWO NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF PETER HEAD
UNLIT OVER"

Here are some more examples of GMDSS messages:

1. subject: mayday relay - sinking dhow
a) following information received
quote
to: rescue coordination centre southern norway
fm: mubarak shipping
attn: duty conrtoller
we received from the owner of dhow loaded with cattle from somali mayo port heading towards dubai as
follows:
name: dhow
is sinking in approximately
position

: 55.35 east
: 14.05 north

total crew on board: 12

unquote.
requesting vessels passing to give assistance in rescuing crew
last contact with dhow received today at 0930 hrs local time.
b) ships in vicinity are requested to keep sharp lookout, and assist as appropriate. vessels having any
informations regarding this incident are requested to report asap to this rcc.
2. subject: mayday
following received from african evergreen on inmarsat c at 1731utc
lat 04 05n 032 12.5w: i have explosion onboard i have two men overboard/missing and six persons badly
injured i neeq immediate assistance search and rescue plus medical assistance.
request all ships in the vicinity to make contact with the vessel and assist.
3. subject: medical assistance
spanish fishing vessel pedra rubia in position 54 42n 018 15w at 021200utc heading 100 speed 8 knots
requires medical assistance - evacuation of a crewmember suffering from stumockache.

vessels with medical facilities and able to assist contact falmouth coastguard.
4. subject: man over board
following received fm m.v. ...in ior
quote
to: all ships
fm: master m.v. ... in ior
= ship m.v. ... in posn lat 14 56s long 087 41e. cadet ...
found missing on 25-0500 hrs lt/24-2300gmt. ship company mustered
and searched allover. not found. suspect missing/overboard. last seen at 24/2030 lt. cadet wearing blue
overalls no lifejacket or survival suit.
course 064, speed 13 kts.all ships in vicinity are requested to keep sharp look out.wind ese/4.swell e/2,
temp 27 c.
unquote
ships within 20 nm from the vessel in distress are asked to report to rcc, using normal priority:
- name, callsign and inmarsat - number of your vessel.
- position.
- your speed and estimated time of arrival in distress-position.
- any other information which might facilitate the rescue.
5. subject: cancellation
japan tuna no3 man overboard
cancel pan pan, i say again cancel pan pan. search terminated.
ships transiting area are requested to keep a sharp lookout.
japan tuna no 3 has departed area.
6. subject: securite
national meteorological service
athens marine meteorogical center

t t t- gale warning 20/10/99/1000 utc

the gale warning issued at 200700 utc
valid from 201000 utc to 201600 utc is still in force and repeated as follows
the combination of high pressures 1023 over balcans with the low pressures 1008 over rodos affecting
central aegean kafireas strait with north winds near gale 7 locally 8 beaufort.
7. subject: vessel missing
the fishing vessel den-marc, call sign wtg8047, is unreported. the last known position was 46n, 042w on
21aug99. the vessel was fishing in the grand banks region and next port of call is fairhaven, mass. vessel
is with a single mast and white hull. no further communications reported from this vessel. mariners
transiting through this area are requested to keep a sharp lookout and make further reports to rcc
norfolk.
8. subject: disabled vessel
the 200 ft m/v mariner with 29 pob is disabled in position 28-50n 050-52w. m/v magelan sea is currently
enroute to assist. mariners transiting through this area are requested to keep a sharp lookout and make
further reports to rcc norfolk.
NOTE
"Reason" is often followed by "why": Is there any reason why she did that?
Another possible structure is with a that-clause, or with no conjunction:
e.g. The reason that we are closing the factory is that...
The reason I came here is...
The preposition after reason is for:
e.g. What's the reason for your depression?
COLLOCATIONS
ship/vessel in distress; a distressed vessel; a distress call; to sustain damage; to fear serious damage; to
incur/cause damage to; to be en route to; a heavy list to starboard; to take a heavy list; to have a list to
port; possible/serious/engine/shell/heavy weather damage; to keep a sharp lookout;
EXERCISES
I. Write down - MAYDAY messages for the following situations:

- You have encountered a heavy storm, the car-deck is flooded, you have taken a heavy list to starboard,
the vessel is not under command.
- Your ship is flooding and you have to abandon it.
- You are on fire, your engine is disabled, you have 12 people on board.
- The situation is under control and assistance is no longer required.
- Vessel Bravo was attacked by pirates report using the scheme.
II. Make up messages to report about the following situations:
- You have sighted an unknown vessel adrift in position ...
- Relay a message from m/v ... which has sustained engine breakdown and needs immediate help/has run
aground in position...
- Ask to arrange for a pilot and diver to inspect your hull on arrival.
- Inform your owners that your ETA was delayed owing to engine trouble.
III. Relay the following messages:
1. m/v ... capsized following collision in fog with unknown vessel pls send rescue crew
2. ship on fire all attempts put out fire unsuccessful lowered lifeboats help required.
3. m/v ... stopped 10 miles ne from low point engine breakdown ship drifting towards rock area tugboat
urgently required.
4. m/v ... sustained heavy damage in collision with norwegian m/v lisian vessel sinking urgent help
required.
5. m/v ... has run aground within two miles off shore waiting high tide to refloat.
6. m/v ... ran aground rounding island 7 july strong westerly wind rough sea fear serious damage ship
please render urgent assistance.
IV. Read the text to learn more about the functions of a VTS:
Vessel Traffic Service - VTS Types of messages
It is the ultimate goal of the IALA VTS Committee that a set of standard messages should exist that may
be used to describe most predictable cases.
VTS has several functions which means its contribution to a decision-making, the decision maker being
most often the ships master.

The Function of acquiring data concerning all ships includes reporting procedures, establishing identity of
vessels, allocation of space, deviations, TSS, pilotage, hazards, etc.
Another Function is the Routine Control of vessels, including broadcast information and its updating.
The third Function is to control manoeuvres to avoid collision, warning of dangerous situations and close
quarter situations.
The Enforcement and Remedial Functions consist in monitoring routine procedures, reporting and
monitoring in compliance with legislation and rules, and data collection regarding incidents and
emergency.