When you’re out at sea, knowing how to communicate distress or urgency properly can be a lifesaver. Two internationally recognized radio calls—Mayday and Pan Pan—serve distinct purposes, and understanding the difference is crucial for every sailor.

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⚓ What Is a Mayday Call?

Mayday is the most serious distress call used worldwide. It signals an imminent and serious danger to life or vessel. Situations warranting a Mayday call include:

•  A man overboard

•  Significant water ingress (taking on water or sinking)

•  Fire onboard

•  Collision or grounding with risk to life or vessel

When you issue a Mayday, you’re requesting immediate assistance from any nearby vessels and rescue authorities. Modern VHF radios with DSC (Digital Selective Calling) often have a dedicated red distress button to send an automatic alert without voice transmission.

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🌊 What Is a Pan Pan Call?

Pan Pan is a call for urgent assistance, but without immediate danger to life or the vessel. Examples of when to issue a Pan Pan call include:

•  Engine failure leaving you unable to navigate safely

•  Fouled gear such as a lobster pot or fishing net

•  Minor medical issues that require help but are not life-threatening

A Pan Pan call alerts nearby vessels and coastguards that you need help but aren’t in critical danger.

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📡 Why Does the Difference Matter?

Coastguards and rescue services prioritize resources based on the severity of calls. Sending a Mayday unnecessarily can divert critical help from real emergencies and may lead to penalties in some jurisdictions.

If your situation escalates from non-life-threatening to serious danger—such as worsening weather or losing control of your vessel—you should clearly upgrade your call from Pan Pan to Mayday to reflect the increased urgency.

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🚫 What If You Don’t Have a VHF Radio?

If you don’t have a VHF, other options to signal distress include:

•  Using red flares

•  Activating your EPIRB (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon)

•  Calling emergency services via mobile phone (dial 999 or the local emergency number) if in range

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In summary: Use Pan Pan for urgent but non-life-threatening problems, and reserve Mayday for true emergencies where life or vessel is at immediate risk. Knowing when and how to use these calls responsibly is part of being a competent and safe sailor.

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If you’re looking for more practical sailing safety tips or want to learn how to use your VHF radio properly, check out our range of RYA sailing courses or Malta sailing experiences designed for all skill levels.