Safety, Fire & Survival · GMDSS — Priority of Communications

In radio communications, the correct order of priority from highest to lowest is:

Explanation

Distress (MAYDAY — grave and imminent danger) has the highest priority, followed by Urgency (PAN-PAN — safety of a vessel or person, not immediate), then Safety (SECURITE — navigational or weather warnings), and finally routine traffic. Higher-priority calls take precedence on the radio.

Authority: ITU Radio Regulations; GMDSS

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