Rules of the Road · Distress Signals

A vessel in distress can transmit the spoken word 'MAYDAY' by radiotelephony. This is authorized under which Annex IV provision?

Explanation

Annex IV paragraph 1(g) recognizes 'a distress signal sent by radiotelephony consisting of the spoken word MAYDAY' as a valid distress signal. This aligns with ITU Radio Regulations for voice distress communications on VHF Channel 16 and HF frequencies.

Authority: 72 COLREGS Annex IV, paragraph 1(g)

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