Furuno FM-4000 - Manual (Page 25)

Page 25 FM-4000
10.8 EMERGENCY (CH16 USE)
CH16 is known as the Hail and Distress channel. An emergency may be de-
fined as a threat to life or property. In such instances, be sure the transceiver is
on and set it to CH16. Then do as follows:
1. Press the microphone push-to-talk switch and say “Mayday, Mayday, May-
day. This is , , ” (your vessel’s name).
2. Then repeat once: “Mayday, ” (your vessel’s name).
3. Now report your position in latitude/longitude, or by giving a true or mag-
netic bearing (state which) to a well-known landmark such as a navigation
aid or geographic feature such as an island or harbor entry.
4. Explain the nature of your distress (sinking, collision, aground, fire, heart
attack, life-threatening injury, etc.).
5. State the kind of assistance you desire (pumps, medical aid, etc.).
6. Report the number of persons aboard and condition of any injured.
7. Estimate the present seaworthiness and condition of your vessel.
8. Give your vessel’s description: length, design (power or sail), color and
other distinguishing marks. The total transmission should not exceed one
minute.
9. End the message by saying “OVER”. Release the microphone push-to-
talk and listen.
10. If there is no answer, repeat the above procedure. If there is still no re-
sponse, try another channel.
10.9 CALLING ANOTHER VESSEL (CH16 OR CH9)
Channel 16 may be used for initial contact (hailing) with another vessel.
However, its most important use is for emergency messages. This channel
must be monitored at all times except when actually using another channel.
It is monitored by the U.S. and Canadian Coast Guards and by other vessels.
Use of CH16 for hailing must be limited to initial contact only. Calling
should not exceed 30 seconds, but may be repeated three times at 2-minute
intervals. In areas of heavy radio traffic, congestion on CH16 resulting from its
use as a hailing channel can be reduced significantly in U.S. waters by using
CH9 as the initial contact (hailing) channel for non-emergency communica-
tions. Here, also, calling time should not exceed 30 seconds but may be re-
peated three times at 2-minute intervals.
Prior to making contact with another vessel, refer to the channel charts in this
manual, then select an appropriate channel for communications after initial
contact. For example, CH68 and CH69 of the U.S. VHF charts are some of the
channels available to non-commercial (recreational) boaters. Monitor your de-
sired channel in advance to make sure you will not be interrupting other traffic,