1. Overview
Source: IMO. IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP). London: IMO, 2001. Resolution A.918(22), adopted 29 Nov. 2001 — Appendix to AI (Standard GMDSS Messages: distress, urgency, safety) and Annex II, AII/1-3 (Standard Wheel Orders, Standard Engine Orders, Pilot on the Bridge).
Syllabus: Anexo 2-A, item VI.1.4.2 (Mensagens GMDSS padrão) e VI.1.4.3 (Frases de comunicação a bordo); Anexo 2-B lista a obra na bibliografia de Comunicações.
This chapter covers two blocks of the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases: the Appendix to AI, which sets the fixed wording for the three GMDSS distress, urgency and safety messages transmitted by radio, and Annex II (AII), the on-board phrases exchanged between the officer of the watch, the helmsman, the person handling the engine telegraph, and the pilot.
The GMDSS messages give a fixed sequence to follow at the voice stage — after the DSC Distress Alert acknowledgement, the DSC Urgency Call or the DSC Safety Call, as the case may be: MAYDAY, PAN-PAN or SECURITE, each with its own call pattern and field structure. AII/1 and AII/2 fix the wording of wheel orders and engine orders, including the helmsman's repeat-back. AII/3, "Pilot on the Bridge", is a longer set of fixed questions and answers covering propulsion, manoeuvring, radar, draft, anchoring, tug assistance, and berthing/unberthing.
For further details see: ITU MANUAL for use by the Maritime Mobile and Maritime Mobile-Satellite Services, Geneva.
2. Standard GMDSS Messages
2.1 Standard Distress Message
Upon receipt of a DSC Distress Alert acknowledgement, the vessel in distress should commence the distress traffic on one of the international distress traffic frequencies for telephony (VHF Channel 16 or 2182 kHz).
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Call word | MAYDAY |
| Identification | THIS IS |
| Vessel data | the 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity code (MMSI) plus name / call sign or other identification of the vessel calling |
| Position | the position of the vessel |
| Nature of distress | the nature of distress |
| Assistance required | the assistance required |
| Other information | any other information which might facilitate rescue |
Example, verbatim:
MAYDAY
THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-SIX-EIGHT-ZERO MOTOR VESSEL "BIRTE" CALL SIGN DELTA ALPHA MIKE KILO
POSITION SIX TWO DEGREES ONE ONE DECIMAL EIGHT MINUTES NORTH ZERO ZERO SEVEN DEGREES FOUR FOUR MINUTES EAST
I AM ON FIRE AFTER EXPLOSION
I REQUIRE FIRE FIGHTING ASSISTANCE
SMOKE NOT TOXIC OVER
2.2 Standard Urgency Message
After the transmission of a DSC Urgency Call, switch the transmitter to VHF Channel 16 or frequency 2182 kHz (if not automatically controlled) and commence the urgency traffic.
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Call word (×3) | PAN-PAN (repeated three times) |
| Address (×3) | ALL STATIONS (repeated three times) |
| Identification | THIS IS |
| Vessel data | the 9-digit MMSI of the vessel plus name / call sign or other identification |
| Position | the position of the vessel |
| Message text | the text of the urgency message |
Example, verbatim:
PAN-PAN PAN-PAN PAN-PAN
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-SIX-EIGHT-ZERO MOTORVESSEL "BIRTE" CALL SIGN DELTA ALPHA MIKE KILO
POSITION SIX TWO DEGREES ONE ONE DECIMAL EIGHT MINUTES NORTH ZERO ZERO SEVEN DEGREES FOUR FOUR MINUTES EAST
I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINES
I REQUIRE TUG ASSISTANCE OVER
2.3 Standard Safety Message
After the transmission of a DSC Safety Call, switch the transmitter to VHF Channel 16 or frequency 2182 kHz (if not automatically controlled) and transmit the safety message.
| Field | Content |
|---|---|
| Call word (×3) | SECURITE (repeated three times) |
| Address (×3) | ALL STATIONS (or all ships in a specific geographical area, or to a specific station) (repeated three times) |
| Identification | THIS IS |
| Vessel data | the 9-digit MMSI of the vessel plus name / call sign or other identification |
| Message text | the text of the safety message |
Example, verbatim:
SECURITE SECURITE SECURITE
ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS IN AREA PETER REEF
THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-SIX-EIGHT-ZERO MOTORVESSEL "BIRTE" CALL SIGN DELTA ALPHA MIKE KILO
DANGEROUS WRECK LOCATED IN POSITION TWO NAUTICAL MILES SOUTH OF PETER REEF OVER
3. Standard Wheel Orders (AII/1)
3.1 The order table
All fifteen orders below are the complete Standard Wheel Orders table, verbatim, in the order printed in AII/1.
| Order | Meaning |
|---|---|
| 1. Midships | Rudder to be held in the fore and aft position. |
| 2. Port / starboard five | 5° of port / starboard rudder to be held. |
| 3. Port / starboard ten | 10° of port / starboard rudder to be held. |
| 4. Port / starboard fifteen | 15° of port / starboard rudder to be held. |
| 5. Port / starboard twenty | 20° of port / starboard rudder to be held. |
| 6. Port / starboard twenty-five | 25° of port / starboard rudder to be held. |
| 7. Hard-a-port / starboard | Rudder to be held fully over to port / starboard. |
| 8. Nothing to port / starboard | Avoid allowing the vessel's head to go to port / starboard. |
| 9. Meet her | Check the swing of the vessel's head in a turn. |
| 10. Steady | Reduce swing as rapidly as possible. |
| 11. Ease to five / ten / fifteen / twenty | Reduce amount of rudder to 5°/10°/15°/20° and hold. |
| 12. Steady as she goes | Steer a steady course on the compass heading indicated at the time of the order. The helmsman is to repeat the order and call out the compass heading on receiving the order. When the vessel is steady on that heading, the helmsman is to call out: "Steady on ..." |
| 13. Keep the buoy / mark / beacon / ... on port side / starboard side. | — |
| 14. Report if she does not answer the wheel. | — |
| 15. Finished with wheel, no more steering. | — |
3.2 Heading check and readback
All wheel orders given should be repeated by the helmsman and the officer of the watch should ensure that they are carried out correctly and immediately. All wheel orders should be held until countermanded. The helmsman should report immediately if the vessel does not answer the wheel.
When there is concern that the helmsman is inattentive, the fixed check is:
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| What is your heading? | My heading is ... degrees. |
3.3 Steering to a compass course
When the officer of the watch requires a course to be steered by compass, the direction in which s/he wants the wheel turned should be stated, followed by each numeral being said separately, including zero.
| Order | Course to be steered |
|---|---|
| Port, steer one eight two | 182° |
| Starboard, steer zero eight two | 082° |
| Port, steer three zero five | 305° |
On receipt of an order to steer, for example 182°, the helmsman should repeat it and bring the vessel round steadily to the course ordered. When the vessel is steady on the course ordered, the helmsman is to call out:
"Steady on one eight two".
The person giving the order should acknowledge the helmsman's reply.
3.4 Steering on a mark
If it is desired to steer on a selected mark, the helmsman should be ordered to:
"Steer on ... buoy / ... mark / ... beacon".
The person giving the order should acknowledge the helmsman's reply.
4. Standard Engine Orders (AII/2)
4.1 Engine order table
Any engine order given should be repeated by the person operating the bridge telegraph(s), and the officer of the watch should ensure the order is carried out correctly and immediately. The eleven orders below are complete and verbatim, in the order printed in AII/2.
Items 1 to 8 are the engine orders proper. The source then prints, before items 9 to 11: "Where bow thrusters are used, the following orders are used:"
| No. | Order | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | (Port / starboard engines) Full ahead / astern | — |
| 2 | (Port / starboard engines) Half ahead / astern | — |
| 3 | (Port / starboard engines) Slow ahead / astern | — |
| 4 | (Port / starboard engines) Dead slow ahead / astern | — |
| 5 | Stop (port / starboard) engines | — |
| 6 | Emergency full ahead / astern | — |
| 7 | Stand by engine | Engine-room personnel fully ready to manoeuvre and bridge manned to relay engine orders. |
| 8 | Finished with engines – no more manoeuvring. | Operation of engines no longer required. |
| 9 | Bow thruster full / half to port / starboard. | — |
| 10 | Stern thruster full / half to port / starboard. | — |
| 11 | Bow / stern thruster stop | — |
4.2 Twin propellers and thrusters
In vessels fitted with twin propellers, the word "both" should be added to all orders affecting both shafts, e.g. "Full ahead both", and "Slow astern both", except that the words "Stop all engines" should be used, when appropriate. When required to manoeuvre twin propellers independently, this should be indicated, i.e. "Full ahead starboard", "Half astern port", etc.
5. Pilot on the Bridge (AII/3)
AII/3 is the fixed set of phrases used once the pilot is on the bridge. Each item below is a phrase from the source, not a summary of it, in the order and with the numbering the source prints. The source's numbering is flat: an item numbered .N is a phrase in its own right, and an item numbered .N.1 / .N.2 / .N.3 is a phrase printed under it — sometimes the scripted answer to a question, sometimes a further order or a report. The right-hand column reproduces those sub-items; it does not claim they are answers.
5.1 Propulsion system
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | Is the engine a diesel or a turbine? | The engine is a diesel / turbine. |
| .2 | Is the engine-room manned or is the engine on bridge control? | The engine-room is manned. / The engine is on bridge control. |
| .3 | How long does it take to change the engines from ahead to astern? | It takes ... seconds to change the engines (from ahead to astern). |
| .4 | How long does it take to start the engines from stopped? | It takes ... seconds to start the engines (from stopped). |
| .5 | Is extra power available in an emergency? | Yes, extra power is available. / No, extra power is not available. |
| .6 | Do you have a controllable or fixed pitch propeller? | We have a controllable pitch propeller. / We have a fixed pitch propeller. |
| .7 | Do you have a right-hand or left-hand propeller? | We have a right-hand / left-hand propeller. |
| .8 | Do you have a single propeller or twin propellers? | We have a single propeller / twin propellers. |
| .9 | Do you have a bow thruster or stern thruster? | We have one / two bow thruster(s) / stern thruster(s). |
| .10 | What is the maximum manoeuvring power ahead / astern? | The maximum manoeuvring power ahead / astern is ... kiloWatts. |
| .11 | What are the maximum revolutions ahead / astern? | The maximum revolutions ahead / astern are ... |
| .12 | Do the twin propellers turn inward or outward when going ahead? | The twin propellers turn inward / outward (when going ahead). |
5.2 Manoeuvring
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | I require the pilot card / manoeuvring data. | — |
| .2 | What is the diameter of the turning circle? | The diameter of the turning circle is ... metres. |
| .3 | What is the advance and transfer distance in a crash-stop? | The advance distance is ... kilometres / nautical miles, the transfer distance is ... degrees (in a crash-stop). |
| .4 | How long does it take from hard-a-port to hard-a-starboard? | It takes ... seconds (from hard-a-port to hard-a-starboard). |
| .5 | Is the turning effect of the propeller very strong? | Yes, the turning effect (of the propeller) is very strong. / No, the turning effect (of the propeller) is not very strong. |
| .6 | Where is the whistle control? | The whistle control is on the console / on ... |
| .7 | What notice is required to reduce from full sea speed to manoeuvring speed? | ... minutes notice is required (to reduce from full sea speed to manoeuvring speed). |
| .8 | Do you have an automatic pilot? | Yes, we have an automatic pilot. / No, we do not have an automatic pilot. |
| .9 | Give ... short / prolonged blast(s) (on the whistle). | — |
| .10 | Stand by lookout. | — |
| .11 | Maintain a speed of ... knots. | — |
| .12 | What is the (manoeuvring) speed at full / half / slow / dead slow ahead? | The manoeuvring speed at full / half / slow / dead slow ahead is ... knots. |
| .13 | What is the full sea speed / fairway speed? | The full sea speed / fairway speed is ... knots. |
Note on the source: in AII/3.2 the source prints ".9." and then a line reading ".1 .10 Stand by lookout." No phrase is attached to the stray ".1"; the sequence .9 → .10 → .11 → .12 → .13 is complete without it; and every sub-item in this annex is printed with its full parent number (".9.1", ".16.2"), never as a bare ".1". The numbering is therefore given here as .9, .10, .11.
5.3 Radar
From this point on, the source marks a continuation with the sign ~: it repeats the invariable part of the previous line and only the variable ending changes. In the table below, "Change the radar to" is the fixed part, and each ~ line is one of the possible endings for that same order.
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | Is the radar operational? | Yes, the radar is operational. / No, the radar is not operational. |
| .2 | Where is the radar antenna? | The radar antenna is on ... |
| .3 | Does the radar have any blind sectors? | Yes, the radar has blind sectors from ... to ... degrees and from ... to ... degrees. / No, the radar does not have any blind sectors. |
| .4 | Change the radar to ~ ... miles range scale. ~ relative head-up / north-up / course-up. ~ true-motion north-up / course-up. | — |
5.4 Draft and air draft
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | What is your present maximum draft? | My present maximum draft is ... metres. / My draft forward / aft is ... metres. |
| .2 | What is your air draft? | My air draft is ... metres. |
5.5 Anchoring — going to anchor
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | Stand by port / starboard / both anchor(s) for letting go. | — |
| .2 | Walk out the anchor(s). | — |
| .3 | We are going to anchorage. | — |
| .4 | We will let go port / starboard / both anchor(s). | — |
| .5 | Put ... shackles in the water / in the pipe / on deck. | — |
| .6 | Walk back port / starboard / both anchor(s) one / one and a half shackle(s). | — |
| .7 | We will let go port / starboard / both anchor(s) ... shackle(s) and dredge it / them. | — |
| .8 | Let go port / starboard / both anchor(s). | — |
| .9 | Slack out the cable(s). | Check the cable(s). / Hold on the port / the starboard / both cable(s). |
| .10 | How is the cable leading? | The cable is leading ~ ahead / astern. ~ to port / to starboard. ~ round the bow. ~ up and down. |
| .11 | How is the cable growing? | The cable is slack / tight / coming tight. |
| .12 | Is / are the anchor(s) holding? | Yes, the anchor(s) is / are holding. / No, the anchor(s) is / are not holding. |
| .13 | Is she brought up? | Yes, she is brought up in position ... / No, she is not brought up (yet). |
| .14 | Switch on the anchor light(s). | — |
| .15 | Hoist the anchor ball. | — |
| .16 | Check the anchor position by bearings / by ... | The anchor position is bearing ... degrees, distance ... kilometres / nautical miles to ... / Check the anchor position every ... minutes. |
5.6 Anchoring — leaving the anchorage
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | How much cable is out? | ... shackle(s) is / are out. |
| .2 | Stand by for heaving up. | — |
| .3 | Put the windlass in gear. | The windlass is in gear. |
| .4 | How is the cable leading? | The cable is leading ~ ahead / astern. ~ to port / to starboard. ~ round the bow. ~ up and down. |
| .5 | Heave up port / starboard / both cable(s). | — |
| .6 | How much weight is on the cable? | Much / too much weight is on the cable. / No weight is on the cable. |
| .7 | Stop heaving. | — |
| .8 | How many shackles are left (to come in)? | ... shackles are left (to come in). |
| .9 | Attention! Turn in cable(s). | — |
| .10 | The anchor(s) is / are aweigh. | The cables are clear. |
| .11 | The anchor(s) is / are clear of the water / home / foul / secured. | — |
5.7 Tug assistance
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | We will take ... tug(s). | — |
| .2 | The tug(s) will pull / push. | — |
| .3 | We use the towing line(s) of your vessel. | We use the towing line(s) of the tug(s). |
| .4 | Stand by for making fast the tug(s). | — |
| .5 | Use the centre lead / panama lead. | Use the fairlead ~ on port side / starboard side. ~ amidships. ~ on port bow / starboard bow. ~ on port / starboard quarter. |
| .6 | Send heaving line(s) to the tug(s). | — |
| .7 | Send two towing line(s) to the tug(s). | — |
| .8 | Lower towing line(s) | ~ to the tug(s). ~ ... metre(s) from the water. |
| .9 | Slack away towing line(s). | — |
| .10 | Make fast the tug(s). | Make fast the tug(s) ~ forward / aft. ~ on port bow / starboard bow. ~ on port quarter / starboard quarter. |
| .11 | Make fast the forward / aft tug(s) alongside on port side / starboard side. | — |
| .12 | Make fast ... tug(s) on each bow / quarter. | — |
| .13 | Put the eyes of the towing line(s) on bitts. | — |
| .14 | The tug(s) is / are fast (on ...). | — |
| .15 | Keep clear of towing line(s). | — |
| .16 | Stand by for letting go the tug(s). | — |
| .17 | Let go the tug(s). | — |
| .18 | Towing line(s) is / are broken. | — |
5.8 Berthing and unberthing — general
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | Is / are the propeller(s) clear? | Yes, the propeller(s) is clear. / No, the propeller(s) is not clear. / Keep the propeller(s) clear. |
| .2 | Are fenders on the berth? | Yes, fenders are on the berth. / No, fenders are not on the berth. |
| .3 | Have fenders ready fore and aft. | — |
5.9 Berthing
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | We will berth port side / starboard side alongside. | — |
| .2 | We will moor | ~ to buoy(s) (ahead and astern). ~ alongside. ~ to dolphins. |
| .3 | Send out | ~ the head / stern / breast lines. ~ the ... spring(s) forward / aft. |
| .4 | Do you have tension winches? | Yes, we have tension winches (forward and aft). / No, we do not have tension winches. |
| .5 | Have the heaving lines ready forward and aft. | — |
| .6 | Send the heaving / head / stern / breast line(s) ashore. | — |
| .7 | The linesmen will use shackles / lashings for securing the mooring. | — |
| .8 | Use | ~ the centre lead / panama lead. ~ the bow lead. ~ the port quarter / starboard quarter lead. |
| .9 | Heave on the ... line(s) / ... spring(s). | — |
| .10 | Pick up the slack on the ... line(s) / ... spring(s). | — |
| .11 | Heave away. | Stop heaving. |
| .12 | Slack away / check the ... line(s) / ... spring(s). | — |
| .13 | Hold on the ... line(s) / ... spring(s). | — |
| .14 | Heave in easy. | Heave alongside. |
| .15 | Keep the ... line(s) / ... spring(s) tight. | — |
| .16 | Report the forward / aft distance to ... . | The forward / aft distance to ... is ... metres. (source prints: "to ... .. is metres") |
| .17 | We have to move ... metres ahead / astern. | — |
| .18 | We are in position. | — |
| .19 | Make fast fore and aft. | — |
| .20 | Finished with manoeuvring stations. | — |
5.10 Unberthing
| No. | Phrase (.N) | Sub-items (.N.1, .N.2, ...) |
|---|---|---|
| .1 | Stand by engine(s). | — |
| .2 | Are you ready to get underway? | Yes, we are ready (to get underway). / No, we are not ready (yet) (to get underway). / We will be ready to get underway in ... minutes. |
| .3 | Stand by for letting go. | — |
| .4 | Single up the ... lines and ... springs fore and aft. | — |
| .5 | Slack away / hold on / heave on the | ~ head / stern line. ~ breast line. ~ fore / aft spring. |
| .6 | Let go | ~ the head / stern line. ~ the breast line. ~ the fore / aft spring. ~ all (forward / aft). |
| .7 | Let go the towing line(s). | — |
| .8 | Stand by bow anchor(s). | — |
| .9 | Finished with manoeuvring stations. | — |