What to Do in an Emergency at Sea
Being out on the water is one of the most wonderful experiences you can have. The freedom, the serenity, the closeness to nature, it’s an environment that feels miles away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Whether you're sailing, cruising, or fishing, the vastness of the sea offers a sense of peace and adventure that’s hard to match. However, with that freedom comes responsibility. When you're on the water, you’re not just distant from land, you’re distant from immediate help. If something goes wrong, you quickly realise just how isolated you are. The tranquillity can give way to vulnerability and in that moment, even the most minor issue can escalate into a serious situation.
When you're on a boat, you can't just pull over to the side of the road. Mechanical failures, medical emergencies or even unexpected weather can leave you stranded or in danger. The sea is unforgiving, and being miles from the nearest port or help makes every problem potentially life-threatening. That’s why preparation, knowledge and quick action are crucial when you're out on the water.
Having spent over 20 years as a lifeboat crew member, I’ve seen first-hand the types of emergencies that can occur at sea and the consequences of being unprepared. One of the most important lessons I've learned is don’t be afraid to call for help. Never let embarrassment or pride stop you from requesting assistance. It’s far better to call early than delay. Launching a lifeboat, helicopter or diverting a ship takes time and if your situation improves, you can always cancel the request. But if things worsen, every second counts.
In the following sections, I’ll guide you through what to do in various emergencies, how to avoid them, and who to call when things go wrong. Knowing these details could make the difference between a close call and a disaster.
Who to Call in an Emergency at Sea
In any emergency, it’s critical to know who to contact and how to raise the alarm efficiently:
HM Coastguard:
The UK’s primary maritime emergency response authority. Use your VHF radio to hail the Coastguard on Channel 16 or Call 999. They will coordinate search and rescue operations and provide support through their network of resources, including lifeboats and helicopters.
Other Boats:
If you have no direct contact with the Coastguard, broadcast a Mayday or Pan-Pan call on VHF Channel 16. Other vessels in your vicinity may also respond and relay your message to the Coastguard.
What is a Mayday?
A Mayday call is the internationally recognised distress signal used when a vessel or person is in grave and imminent danger and immediate assistance is required. It signifies life-threatening emergencies such as sinking, fire or man overboard situations. A Mayday call is used when there is an urgent need for rescue, and failure to receive prompt help could lead to loss of life.
The word "Mayday" originates from the French term "m’aidez," meaning "help me." It is always broadcast three times ("Mayday, Mayday, Mayday") on VHF Channel 16, ensuring clarity and urgency.
What is a Pan-Pan?
A Pan-Pan call is used to indicate an urgent situation that is not immediately life-threatening but still requires assistance. It signals that the vessel or person is in some form of distress, but the situation hasn't yet escalated to an emergency where lives are at immediate risk. Examples of Pan-Pan scenarios include engine failure, minor medical issues or running aground without immediate danger to life.
The word "Pan" comes from the French word "panne," meaning a breakdown or problem. Like Mayday, Pan-Pan is also broadcast three times ("Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan") on VHF Channel 16, alerting others to the situation, but it carries less urgency than Mayday.
Once the appropriate service is contacted, they will mobilise the necessary rescue operations, whether that’s a lifeboat, a helicopter or another nearby vessel.
Types of Emergencies You May Encounter
At sea, emergencies can vary from mechanical failures to life-threatening situations. Here are the most common:
Man Overboard (MOB): A crew member or passenger has fallen into the water.
Mechanical Failures: Engine failure, steering loss, or other critical systems malfunction.
Grounding or Collision: Your vessel hits a rock, sandbank, or collides with another boat.
Fire or Explosion: Fire in the engine room or galley, or an explosion due to fuel leaks.
Medical Emergency: Illness or injury that requires immediate attention.
Taking on Water: Your boat is flooding and at risk of sinking.
Adverse Weather: Sudden storms, heavy seas, or fog that make navigation difficult or impossible.
Preventing Emergencies
Most emergencies can be avoided by good planning, preparation and vigilance. Before heading out, ensure you:
Check the weather forecast: Sudden changes in weather can be deadly. Avoid venturing out in adverse conditions, especially if you’re inexperienced.
Perform a pre-departure check: Refer to the pre-departure checklist to help ensure your boat is in good working order.
File a passage plan: Inform someone onshore of your intended route and estimated time of return.
Wear lifejackets: Ensure that everyone on board wears a properly fitted lifejacket. Emergencies often occur too quickly to put one on after the fact.
Carry safety equipment: This includes flares, a fully charged VHF radio, fire extinguishers and first aid kits. A grab bag with emergency essentials can be invaluable.
Regularly service your boat: Routine maintenance can prevent mechanical breakdowns.
Monitor fuel levels: Running out of fuel is an avoidable cause of distress calls.
What to Do in an Emergency
Stay Calm
Panic can make a bad situation worse. Take a deep breath, assess the situation, and act methodically. If you’re the skipper, you need to lead by example, calm crew members are more useful than panicked ones.
Man Overboard
Shout ‘Man Overboard’ immediately and throw a life ring or flotation device to the person, and activate the MOB button on your GPS if you have one.
Keep them in sight at all times. If possible, assign one person solely to watch them. If you have additional crew, call a MAYDAY for assistance immediately, if you are the only person left on board Make the call at the earliest oppotunity.
Turn the boat carefully back towards the person (preferably from the leeward side, so the wind doesn’t push the boat away).
If possible, use a boat hook or sling to pull the person on board. If they’re unconscious or unresponsive, you may need to enter the water to assist, but this should only be done as a last resort.
Once on board, treat the person for hypothermia.
Mechanical Failure
Drop anchor if you’re drifting dangerously close to hazards (like rocks or a shore).
Call for assistance on VHF Channel 16. This will be broadcast to the nearest coastguard and other vessels. Speak clearly and give your position. Use your GPS if you have one (a range and bearing from a known point can be used if you don’t have GPS onboard).
If you have a sail and are able to, set the sail to regain some control over the vessel.
Grounding or Collision
Immediately check the crew for injuries.
Assess the hull for damage and check if water is coming in.
If you’re taking on water, use bilge pumps or buckets to keep the water level down.
If necessary, call for assistance (use VHF Channel 16). Be prepared to abandon ship if the damage is severe.
Fire or Explosion
Shout ‘Fire!’ to alert everyone on board.
Cut off the fuel supply to the engine if possible.
Attempt to extinguish the fire using onboard extinguishers, but do not put yourself at risk. Fires at sea can spread quickly and it may be safer to abandon ship.
Move everyone to the upwind side of the boat, away from the fire.
Send out a distress call on VHF Channel 16.
Medical Emergency
Administer first aid to the best of your ability.
If the injury or illness is serious, request medical evacuation through the coastguard on VHF Channel 16.
Give as much detail as possible about the patient’s condition and your location.
If someone is unconscious or unresponsive, perform CPR if necessary and keep them warm and comfortable.
Taking on Water
Identify the source of the leak—check through-hull fittings, the bilge, or the hull for damage.
Use bilge pumps or manual pumps to remove the water. If the leak is manageable, try temporary fixes such as plugging the hole or using waterproof tape.
If the situation worsens, don lifejackets and prepare the lifeboat or life raft.
Send a distress signal (VHF Channel 16) and give your position.
Adverse Weather
If possible, avoid the worst of it by altering your course or seeking shelter in a nearby harbour.
Ensure all crew are wearing lifejackets and tethered if necessary.
Reduce sail if sailing or slow the engine if motoring to maintain control.
Keep communication lines open with the coastguard if the weather worsens.
Who to Call for Assistance (Revisited)
In addition to HM Coastguard, your VHF radio on Channel 16 will connect you to other nearby vessels or emergency services, should your situation require urgent intervention. Use the Mayday call for life-threatening situations and Pan-Pan for less critical but still urgent cases. This allows other vessels to relay messages on your behalf, improving your chances of a rapid response.
In an emergency at sea, making a clear and structured call for help is essential. As mentioned, VHF radio is the primary method for calling for help, particularly on Channel 16. However, most modern vessels are also equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC), which can send automated distress alerts. Here's how to use all these methods, including DSC, to call for assistance effectively.
How to Call for Assistance: Understanding MIRPDANIO, PIRPDANIO, and DSC Alerts
When you're in an emergency, your call for help must follow a structured format. You can use:
Mayday for life-threatening emergencies.
Pan-Pan for urgent but not immediately life-threatening situations.
DSC Distress Alert to automatically send your distress signal with key information to the Coastguard and other vessels.
Mayday Call Format: MIRPDANIO
Use this format when lives are in immediate danger. The MIRPDANIO acronym helps you remember the structure of the call:
M - Mayday, Mayday, Mayday
I - Identify your vessel (name, call sign, and MMSI number if available)
R - Repeat your vessel's name
P - Position: Give your latitude and longitude, or describe your location as accurately as possible
D - Distress: State the nature of the emergency (e.g., sinking, fire, man overboard)
A - Assistance: Specify what help you need (e.g., lifeboat, medical aid, helicopter)
N - Number of people on board
I - Information: Add any other relevant details (e.g., weather conditions, injuries, condition of vessel)
O - Over: End your call with "Over," indicating you are waiting for a response.
Example of a Mayday Call:
"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday."
"This is sailing yacht Seagull, Seagull, Seagull, call sign MZ1234."
"Our position is 50°34.5' N, 001°12.3' W."
"We are taking on water and sinking."
"We require immediate assistance."
"There are four people on board."
"We cannot stop the flooding, over."
Pan-Pan Call Format: PIRPDANIO
For urgent but non-life-threatening situations, use the PIRPDANIO format. This signals to rescuers that you are in trouble but not in immediate danger.
P - Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan
I - Identify your vessel (name, call sign, and MMSI number if available)
R - Repeat your vessel's name
P - Position: State your latitude and longitude or your approximate location
D - Distress: State the problem (e.g., engine failure, lost steering)
A - Assistance: Indicate what kind of help you need (e.g., tow, medical advice)
N - Number of people on board
I - Information: Provide any additional details (e.g., drifting towards hazards, worsening weather)
O - Over: End the call with "Over."
Example of a Pan-Pan Call:
"Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan."
"This is motor vessel Aurora, Aurora, Aurora, call sign GY6543."
"Our position is 51°45.6' N, 002°18.7' W."
"We have lost engine power and are drifting towards a rocky shore."
"Request assistance with a tow."
"We have five people on board."
"Weather is worsening, over."
How to Make a DSC Distress Alert
If your vessel is equipped with a DSC-enabled VHF radio, this technology allows you to send an automated distress alert with critical information, such as your identity, location and nature of distress at the push of a button. Here's how to use it in an emergency:
Activate the DSC distress button:
Locate the DSC distress button on your VHF radio. It is usually a red button covered with a protective flap to prevent accidental use.
Lift the protective cover and press the button for 3 to 5 seconds.
The DSC distress alert is sent:
Your radio will automatically send a distress alert message to the Coastguard and all nearby vessels. This message will include:
Your vessel's identity (MMSI number).
Your current position (GPS coordinates if your radio is connected to GPS).
The nature of the distress (sinking, fire etc.) if you selected this option.
Follow up with a Mayday call:
After sending the DSC distress alert, your radio will automatically switch to VHF Channel 16. You must follow this with a voice Mayday call to provide additional information and confirm the emergency.
Use the MIRPDANIO format for the Mayday call (as described above) to give rescuers more details.
Why Use DSC?
The DSC distress alert transmits critical information in seconds, making it faster and more efficient than a voice call alone. It also ensures that your location and vessel identification are sent accurately, even if you're unable to communicate clearly due to the stress of the situation.
Example of DSC Distress Alert + Mayday Call:
Press the DSC distress button for 3-5 seconds—the distress alert is sent automatically with your position and MMSI number.
After the alert is sent, your radio switches to Channel 16.
Follow up with a Mayday call using the MIRPDANIO format:
"Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is yacht Seagull, Seagull, Seagull, call sign MZ1234. Our position is 50°34.5' N, 001°12.3' W. We are taking on water and sinking. We require immediate assistance. There are four people on board. Over."
By sending the DSC distress alert first, you ensure that emergency services receive your location and the alert instantly, even if your voice transmission is interrupted or unclear.
Cheat Sheet: Emergency Steps at Sea
Man Overboard: Shout, throw flotation, manoeuvre carefully, keep sight of the person. Broadcast Mayday as soon as possible.
Mechanical Failure: Drop anchor, call for assistance on VHF Channel 16, give position.
Grounding/Collision: Check for injuries, assess damage, stop water ingress, send distress / urgency call.
Fire/Explosion: Shout, cut fuel supply, extinguish, if possible. Broadcast Mayday.
Medical Emergency: Provide first aid, call for help, give details of condition.
Taking on Water: Locate leak, pump water, prepare to abandon, if necessary, call for assistance.
Adverse Weather: Change course, ensure lifejackets are on, reduce speed/sail, keep in touch with the coastguard.
remember: don’t be afraid to call for help
Emergencies at sea demand quick, clear actions. Knowing how to communicate your distress via Mayday, Pan-Pan and DSC can save precious time and increase the chances of a successful rescue. Whether it's a life-threatening Mayday or an urgent-but-manageable Pan-Pan situation, staying calm, following the correct procedure and using the right technology will make all the difference.
