Radio Using the Radio Emergency calls Procedure  :  Most boats are equipped with VHF radios. The radio has several channels to choose from. The general  broadcast and hailing channel is channel 16. You can contact other boats on Ch16 but should switch to an  alternate channel as soon as possible. Emergency calls are made on Ch16. There are three types of emergency calls that can be used:  If you get no response, wait a minute and then try again. If you hear a mayday call on the radio, stay off the air for two minutes to allow authorities to respond. If they  don’t you should respond yourself and offer your assistance. “Mayday – Mayday – Mayday” “This is the vessel Titanic – Titanic – Titanic” “We are 300 miles east of New York.” “We have struck and iceberg and are sinking.” “There are 2208 people on board.” 1. Punch up channel 16 on the radio 2. Check the volume and squelch 3. Call the codeword three times  4. Identify your vessel three times 5. State your position 6. State the emergency  and how many people there are onboard • Sécurité  – a call to warn other boats of navigation dangers (e.g. A shipping container in a sea-lane) • Pan-Pan n  - there is an emergency on board but here is no immediate danger to anyone's life or to  the vessel itself. Examples which might be appropriate are : fouled propeller; engine failure or out of  fuel; small fire on board - but extinguished; unsure of position etc. • Mayday - grave and imminent danger and you require immediate assistance. Examples of "grave  and imminent danger" in which a Mayday call would be appropriate are fire, explosion, or sinking.  Misusing this call could cost you a lot of money in fines! 1. Turn the volume up about half way 2. Turn the “squelch” down until you hear static, turn it back up slightly till it stops 3. Pick up the microphone and, holding it about 10cm from your mouth, depress the button on it 4. Say what you have to say 5. To hear what everyone else says – LET GO OF THE BUTTON!