🔍 Key Concepts

• GMDSS distress format (MAYDAY voice call basics) • Minimum information needed so rescuers can identify you, find you, and know what you need • How standard voice distress calls are structured on VHF Channel 16

💭 Think About

• Ask yourself: if you were the rescue authority, what key pieces of information would you absolutely need to launch a response? • Think about the standard spoken order of a MAYDAY call: after saying MAYDAY and your call sign, what do you report next? • Which of these options, taken together, would give search and rescue the fastest, clearest picture of who you are, where you are, and what to send?

✅ Before You Answer

• Confirm which items help rescuers identify the vessel (name/call sign). • Confirm which items allow rescuers to navigate directly to the scene (position/coordinates or clear location). • Confirm which items tell rescuers what kind of assistance and assets to dispatch (type of distress and what help is needed).