National Coastwatch NCI Manual Part 3 Station Operations & Training Section 3 Training Guidance Notes B Distress, Urgency & other Signals Station Administration Group NCI Manual 303.2B-1 www.nci.org.uk National Coastwatch Institution Registered Charity No. 1045645
CONTENTS Page Introduction 3.1 Basic Competency B1: Recognize Distress Signals 3.1 Distress signals Digital Distress Alerts, MAYDAY, Distress Flares and Smoke Signals, Unofficial signals Basic Competency B2: Recognize Urgency and Safety Signals 3.3 Urgency & PAN PAN, Safety & SECURITÉ messages International Code of Flags Use of Signals to Warn of Danger, Divers Signals Basic Competency B3: Recognize Locally Important Day/Night Signals Vessel Day Signals Vessel Night Signals Additional Guidance: 3.11 Flares and Smoke Signals Sound Signals, Buoys, Beacons and Lights IALA Maritime Buoyage System Rules of the Road 3.7 SA Group Issue date: Nov 12
B. DISTRESS, URGENCY & OTHER SIGNALS Introduction 1.1. Whilst most communications at sea are by radio a wide range of other sound and visual signals remain in use to alert a distress or urgency situation or to ensure safe navigation. Even when a radio message is being transmitted, vessels will sometimes employ a second visual back up in case their radio transmission goes unheard or to alert other vessels within visual range. Watchkeepers need to be able to recognise a distress and urgency signal, in whatever form it is sent, as well as any locally important day and night signals used by vessels to prevent collision. Basic Competency B1: Recognise Distress Signals 2.1. Distress is the most serious form of emergency and means that a vessel, vehicle, aircraft or person is in grave or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. Distress flares and radio are the most obvious ways of signalling distress but there are several others and watchkeepers should be familiar with the internationally recognised signals below. SA Group Page 3.1 Issue date: Nov 12
Distress Alerts 2.2. Watchstations fitted with a DSC radio (Digital Selective Calling) may be first alerted by an automatic digital distress signal sent on VHF Channel 70. When a distress alert is received an alarm sounds and details of the vessel concerned appear on the LCD display: time, MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity- see Section 2E Radio Comms.), lat/long position and usually the nature of distress. The set then automatically tunes to Ch16 to receive the voice distress call and message. 2.3. Radio distress voice messages are prefixed by the word MAYDAY spoken three times - this indicates that the sender is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. Mayday messages have absolute priority over all other transmissions. The call is usually made on VHF Channel 16 but any frequency may be used if help may be obtained more quickly. Mayday Identity Position Distress The sequence of a MAYDAY is as follows: Distress Call: Mayday, Mayday, Mayday This is vessel name, repeated three times Distress Message: Mayday This is vessel name and MMSI Lat/long or bearing and distance from a charted position e.g. on fire, sinking, man overboard Assistance Required Request Immediate assistance Number of persons Information Over Number of people involved Other information which might help rescuers Over 2.4. Distress flares and smoke signals serve two purposes: to raise the alarm and to pinpoint the casualty s position. Further information on the various types of flares and smokes is given in the Additional Guidance notes in this section. Watchkeepers need to be aware that: flares and smoke signals generally burn for less than a minute (mini-flares for only 6 seconds!) and can easily be missed if a vigilant watch is not maintained. a standard red parachute flare starts to burn at 300 metres. SA Group Page 3.2 Issue date: Nov 12
white flares are used for illumination purposes as a collision warning. In addition three single white star rocket flares may be fired, at intervals of one minute, by SAR services to denote You are seen - assistance will be given as soon as possible. It follows that white flares are not a distress or urgency signal but, if there is any doubt as to their colour or purpose, report to the Coastguard on the routine phone number. 2.5. Unofficial means of signalling distress include a piece of material waved on the end of an oar or similar and the national flag hoisted upside down. The last is a practice that is often quoted but one that in reality may be difficult to spot (particularly if it is the French ensign!) and probably rarely used! Shouts for HELP!, flashing lights (torch at night, mirror or strobe in daylight), repeated blowing of a whistle and a variety of other methods may all be used to attract attention and so it is important to bear in mind that any unusual activity observed by watchkeepers could well be a distress sign or signal. If in doubt contact the Coastguard. Basic Competency B2: Recognise Urgency and Safety Signals 3.1 Urgency is a lesser degree of emergency than a distress and means that a vessel, vehicle, aircraft or person is in urgent but not imminent danger i.e. the danger is not immediately life threatening, but could become so if assistance is not forthcoming. It would apply to a vessel which is disabled but not sinking or in any immediate danger, or when urgent medical advice or attention is needed. 3.2. Urgency messages given over the radio are prefixed by the words PAN PAN spoken three times and indicate that a vessel or station has a very urgent message concerning the safety of a ship or person. (Stations fitted with a DSC radio may receive a digital Urgency alert before the Ch 16 voice message). SA Group Page 3.3 Issue date: Nov 12
3.3. The sequence of a PAN PAN is as follows: Pan Pan Identity Position Distress Urgency Call: PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN All stations, all stations, all stations (or _ Coastguard x3) This is vessel name, repeated three times Urgency Message Pan Pan Name of vessel and MMSI Assistance Required Request a tow Number of persons Information Over Lat/long or bearing and distance from a charted position e.g. engine failure and drifting onto rocks Number of people involved Other information which might help rescuers Over 3.4. Safety messages given over the radio are prefixed by the word SECURITÉ (pronounced SAY-CURE-E-TAY) spoken three times (or the displayed words All Ship s Safety when digitally alerted on a DSC radio). They indicate that the station - usually a Coastguard Centre - is about to transmit an important navigational or meteorological warning. The message is transmitted on a working channel after an announcement on VHF Ch 16. Watchkeepers should note the message content, take appropriate action if the event is within the watch sector and log any relevant information. 3.5. Safety messages may be broadcast by a vessel at sea, either to warn that the activities/position of the sender pose a risk to other vessels in the vicinity, or to warn of a local navigational hazard. Typical examples include vessels engaged in underwater operations or survey work, live firing in the case of warships and warnings of floating obstructions such as a partially submerged container. 3.6. A number of the single letter International Code Flag signals denote urgency situations e.g. flags Foxtrot, Oscar, Victor and Whiskey. Information on the meaning of the relevant signals is given on the following page. Watchkeepers should be able to identify these and other locally relevant signals using the quick reference information in the watchstation. SA Group Page 3.4 Issue date: Nov 12
SA Group Page 3.5 Issue date: Nov 12
Use of Signals to warn of danger The use of light signals 3.7 In addition to the SOS distress signal watchkeepers should know the morse code for, and the meaning of, the single letter signal U: U (Uniform): You are running into danger 3.8. At stations equipped with an Aldis Signalling Lamp watchkeepers can flash the dot, dot, dash warning to a vessel which is observed to be on a course that will bring it into danger e.g. drifting onto rocks or shoals. (Even if the recipients do not know the meaning of the signal, the fact that they are being signalled to may alert them to the danger). Point the lamp directly at the target using the sight - just a few degrees off target can greatly reduce its effectiveness - and operate the trigger in a positive manner. 3.9. The Aldis lamp may be used to indicate to an already stricken vessel that its situation has been seen and help is on the way. This should only be done after the Coastguard has been contacted and SAR assets have been tasked. Follow the instructions of the Coastguard. The usual signal is three long flashes. 3.10. The use of fog signals. Some stations are equipped with a hand-held foghorn to attract the attention of vessels or persons considered to be at risk. Note, however, that the foghorn should NOT be used in foggy conditions as fog signals emanating from land, other than where indicated on a chart, are likely to cause confusion. For information on sound signals used by vessels in poor visibility and when manoeuvring etc. see Additional Guidance. SA Group Page 3.6 Issue date: Nov 12
Divers Signals 3.11. Where diving takes place within the station s watch sector watch-keepers should be aware of the recognised I require assistance signal: one arm extended with a clenched fist waved from side to side over the head. If this signal is observed the watchkeeper should look for the attendant dive boat which should be flying flag Alpha. If the dive boat has clearly not seen the diver, then the Coastguard should be alerted immediately. 3.12. Note: many divers routinely use surface marker buoys (DSMB s) that look like inflated orange sausages to mark their position. The marker buoy does not indicate that the diver is in distress. Basic Competency B3: Recognise Locally Important Day/Night Signals 4.1. To prevent collision all vessels must display navigation lights at night and in restricted visibility. In addition vessels engaged in certain activities, such as towing or fishing, or in certain situations, such as at anchor or not under command, must also show distinguishing lights by night and shapes (day signals) by day. 4.2. Vessel day signals are illustrated in the diagram below (note: all signals except the diver s flag are black). Watchkeepers must be able to recognise the diver down, Not Under Command (NUC) and Vessel Aground day signals and also identify other locally important signals using quick reference material displayed in the station. A handy phrase for remembering the At Anchor, NUC and Vessel Aground signals is at anchor is not a balls up (1 ball), not being under command is a definite balls up (2 balls), but being aground is a triple balls up (3 balls)! SA Group Page 3.7 Issue date: Nov 12
4.3. Where a station regularly opens during hours of darkness the watchkeepers should be able to identify the NUC, Vessel Aground and other locally important night signals using quick reference material displayed in the station. Some examples are given below. However, some signals vary according to the length of the vessel and there are a number of other night signals. The quick reference material in the SA Group Page 3.8 Issue date: Nov 12
station should, accordingly, be based on the full set of rules. A useful source is the RYA publication G2: International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. SA Group Page 3.9 Issue date: Nov 12
Flares and Smoke Signals Additional Guidance 5.1. Distress flares and smokes are used to raise the alarm and to pinpoint the casualty s position. There a number of different types: Red hand-held flares may be used by day or by night close to shore. They are visible up to 7 miles and burn for one minute. Red parachute rockets are visible up to 25 miles. They rise to about 300 metres before burning and then the red flare floats down on a small parachute for about 40 seconds, leaving a smoke trail behind. Note: if the rocket flares and leaves a trail as it goes up, it is probably a firework! Windsurfers, jet-skiers, kayakers, dinghy sailors and military aircrew often carry packs of mini-flares. They rise to about 60 metres and then burn for only 6 seconds. Day/night flares with smoke at one end and a red flare, which burns for 20 seconds, at the other, are used by divers and others. By day orange smoke signals are more effective than flares although the smoke disperses quickly in a strong wind. The dense orange smoke can be seen for up to 5 miles and burns for one minute or 3 minutes depending on the type used. Occasionally, White flares are seen. These are used for illumination purposes as a collision warning or to advise the sender of a distress signal that the signal has been seen. They are not a distress or urgency signal but, if there is any doubt as to their colour or purpose, phone the Coastguard on the routine number. Laser beam flares are now on the market and, although not officially recognised as distress signals, they are likely to be increasingly used because of their long life and range. Manufacturers claim that they can operate continuously for 72 hours and have a range of 20 miles at night and 1.5 miles during the day. SA Group Page 3.10 Issue date: Nov 12
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International Code of Signals SA Group Page 3.12 Issue date: Nov 12
Sound Signals used by vessels in poor visibility 5.2. Sounded every two minutes: Power vessel making way through the water: one long blast Underway but stopped and not making way: two long blasts Power/sailing: all vessels with 'restricted manoeuvrability : one long and two short blasts Vessel under tow (if manned): one long and three short blasts Notes: 1. A vessel is underway when not at anchor or moored to the shore. 2. A short blast = one second; a long blast = 4 to 6 seconds 3. A fog signal with a deep bass tone will be from a large vessel; a higher pitch tone is likely to be from a vessel of less than 20 metres. 4. Small craft under 12 metres may use any sort of noise to attract attention including shouting! Sound signals used by vessels in sight of each other and manoeuvring 5.3. Ships manoeuvring in tight spaces and entering crowded harbours may use sound signals to warn others of their intentions. The most common are set out below but there are a number of other sound signals used by vessels that are overtaking in narrow channels and at anchor. Stations that overlook narrow channels and fairways (usually buoyed) should ensure that information on sound signals laid down in the International Collision Regulations is displayed in the lookout. Turning to starboard Turning to port Engines in reverse Alert wake up Buoys, beacons and lights 5.4. Watchkeepers at stations with buoys, beacons and/or lights within visual range should be familiar with their meaning and local significance. 5.5. The system of buoyage, including shapes, colours etc. used in European waters is known as the IALA System A (IALA = International Association of Lighthouse Authorities). The system is illustrated on the chart on the following page. SA Group Page 3.13 Issue date: Nov 12
5.6. With regard to the triangular shapes on Cardinal Marks, which guard hazards such as rocks and shoals, it is worth noting the following aidememoire: North triangles point up, South triangles point down, Eastern triangles look like Easter Eggs, western triangles are pinched at the waist as western women have wasp waists. SA Group Page 3.14 Issue date: Nov 12
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5.7. The light characteristics of buoys, beacons and lights are marked on charts. Where a station has, within its watch sector, lit navigation marks which are visible during watch hours, watchkeepers should be able to identify them by the character of the light. In addition their bearing and range should be marked (along with other prominent land and sea marks) on a quick reference chart as they provide useful reference points, especially for distance estimation. The most commonly found light characteristics are: Flashing (Fl) = the period of darkness is longer than the period of light Occulting (Oc) = the period of light is longer than the period of dark Isophase (Iso) = equal periods of light and dark. 5.8. A light s description is shown by abbreviations adjacent to its symbol on the chart, for example: Fl (3) 10s 62m 25M. This indicates a flashing light in which a group of 3 flashes repeat every 10 seconds; the height of the light is 62 metres above MHWS (mean high water springs) and is visible for 25 nautical miles. Full details of the chart notations of light characters can be found in Admiralty Chart 5011 (booklet). Rules of the Road 5.9. For stations in locations where the risk of collision between vessels is high - for example those overlooking anchorages, harbour entrances, estuaries, narrow channels, traffic separation zones - a basic understanding of the rules of the road would assist watchkeepers in anticipating potential incidents. Full details can be found in the RYA publication G2: International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. SA Group Page 3.16 Issue date: Nov 12
Note: Useful quick reference cards which illustrate, for example, Distress Signals, Navigation Lights and Shapes, Sound Signals, International Code Flags, Buoyage, Chart Symbols & Abbreviations and Rules of the Road etc. can be sourced from: www.cockpitcards.co.uk www.btinternet.com/~keith.bater/navigation_skills_charts.htm www.wileynautical.com/details/bookshelf/110080/practical_companions.html SA Group Page 3.17 Issue date: Nov 12
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