MAYDAY

The word "MAYDAY" (derived from the French phrase *m'aider*, meaning "help me") is the primary voice distress signal used in maritime VHF and HF radiotelephony under GMDSS regulations. It holds absolute priority over all other transmissions. A MAYDAY call is initiated by stating "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" on VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz). It must be reserved strictly for situations involving grave and imminent danger to a vessel or human life, such as severe uncontained fires, sinking, capsizing, or an urgent order to abandon ship.

Skippers must carefully distinguish MAYDAY from the urgency signal PAN-PAN (used when safety is threatened but no immediate grave danger exists) and the safety signal SECURITE. When extreme weather conditions—monitored via accurate weather forecast sites—cause sudden hull damage or severe flooding, sending a distress message becomes necessary. The standard distress message structure includes: MAYDAY, vessel name, call sign, MMSI number, position, nature of distress, required assistance, and number of persons on board.

Historically, MAYDAY serves as the voice equivalent of the Morse code SOS signal (which Wikipedia notes was established by the 1906 International Radiotelegraph Convention). Once a MAYDAY broadcast is heard, all other marine stations must immediately cease transmitting on Channel 16. Nearby coastal authorities or a local yacht marina receiving the call will immediately relay the distress signal to national search and rescue services.