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2. VHF & EPRIB
Normal VHF communication

Normal communication between ships offshore is done by using VHF radio. The main radio should be permanently installed with an antenna on the top of the mast.

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Some rules for communication on VHF should be followed:

  • Channel 16

    • Default listening channel and calling channel​

    • Channel for distress calls

  • Calling​

    • <Name of vessel to call> (3 times)

    • THIS IS <Name of your yacht>​

    • OVER

  • Answering​

    • <Name of vessel calling>​

    • THIS IS <Name of your yacht>

    • OVER

  • Channel 6​

    • After getting contact: Change channel​

    • Channel 6 can be used for ship to ship communication

    • Conversation

      • <Name of vessel to call>​

      • <Message>

      • OVER

    • Numbers: Only use digits one - two - three - ... - nine - zero​

    • Letters: Use phonetic alphabet

    • Finish call: OUT​

  • Urgency: PAN-PAN​

    • If there is no immediate danger​

    • Call all ships on channel 16

      • PAN-PAN (3 times)

      • THIS IS <Name of your yacht)

      • <Cause of urgency>

      • OVER

  • Distress: MAYDAY-MAYDAY​

    • Distress call to nearby vessels​

    • Press DSC button on the VHF

    • Call all ships on channel 16

      • MAYDAY (3 times)​

      • THIS IS SAILING YACHT <Name of yacht>

      • Release microphone button and wait 3 seconds

      • MAYDAY <Name of yacht>

      • POSITION IS <Latitude> NORTH/SOUTH <Longitude> EAST/WEST

      • SPEED IS <Speed> KNOTS

      • BEARING IS <Course Over Ground> DEGREES

      • NUMBER OF CREW IS <Number>

      • <Cause of distress>

      • WE NEED IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE

      • OVER

      • Release microphone button and wait 15 seconds

      • Then repeat

 

Backup and emergency

There may be a backup antenna available. The yacht should also have a handheld VHF to be used in the cockpit or a liferaft.

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EPIRB

An EPIRB is used for sending a distress signal using GPS/GNSS and search and rescue satellites. The distress signal and the yacht position is received by "hovedredningssentralen" (HRS) in Norway.

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Exercise 2.1. Normal call

Test your VHF by calling a nearby vessel. Find the vessel name of the vessel to call on the AIS. Change to ship to ship VHF channel. Explain that you are testing your VHF and ask the nearby vessel if he can hear you loud and clear.

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Exercise 2.2. Distress call

Exercise on a distress call together with a crew mate. The cause of distress is fire, leakage, man overboard, etc.

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Exercise 2.3. EPIRB

Read the information about when the EPIRP was last serviced and when the next service for the EPIRB is expected.

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Phonetic alphabet
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