Maritime English and Professional Communication
What the exam tests
Maritime English and Professional Communication tests clear, standard VHF and onboard communication, distress, urgency and safety priority, GMDSS procedures, written reports and the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP).
Core rules
- Use SMCP where applicable; keep messages short, formal and unambiguous. Avoid slang, idioms and unnecessary words.
- Priority order is distress, urgency, safety, then routine. MAYDAY is distress; PAN-PAN is urgency; SÉCURITÉ is safety. Each may be repeated three times on VHF.
- A distress call identifies the vessel, call sign, position, nature of distress, assistance required and persons on board. Use over to invite a reply and out to end.
- The phonetic alphabet and standard numeral pronunciation reduce confusion. Read back important instructions such as courses, speeds and channel changes.
- Onboard, bridge-team communication should state who has the con, what is being done and what to expect. Written reports need facts, times, positions and actions.
Worked example
“MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. This is motor vessel Ocean Star, call sign 3ABC, position 34 degrees 05 minutes north, 129 degrees 10 minutes east. We are on fire in the engine room. We require immediate assistance. 18 persons on board. Over.” The message gives priority, identity, position, problem, need and persons. A coast station can then acknowledge and coordinate. PAN-PAN would be wrong because this is grave and imminent danger.
Traps
Do not use MAYDAY for a routine breakdown. Do not say out when you expect a reply. Do not omit position or persons on board in a distress call. Do not use nonstandard phrases when SMCP is required. In examinations, incorrect priority labels lose marks even if the English is fluent.