Message Markers
In shore-to-ship and ship-to-shore
communication or radio communication in
general, the following eight Message Markers
may be used (given in PART AI/6 "Vessel Traffic
Service (VTS) Standard Phrases" ):
(i)INSTRUCTION
This indicates that the following message implies the intention
of the sender to influence others
by a Regulation.
Comment: This means that the sender, e.g. a VTS - Station or a
naval vessel, must have the full
authority to send such a message. The recipient has to follow
this legally binding message unless she has contradictory safety
reasons which then have to be reported to the sender.
Example:
"INSTRUCTION. Do not cross the fairway.”
(ii) ADVICE
This indicates that the following message implies
the intention of the sender to influence others by
a Recommendation.
Comment: The decision whether to follow the
ADVICE still stays with the recipient. ADVICE
does not necessarily have to be followed but
should be considered very carefully.
Example:
"ADVICE. (Advise you) stand by on VHF Channel
six nine."
(iii) WARNING
This indicates that the following message implies
the intention of the sender to inform others
about
danger.
Comment: This means that any recipient of a
WARNING should pay immediate attention to
the danger mentioned. Consequences of a
WARNING will be up to the recipient.
Example:
"WARNING. Obstruction in the fairway."
(iv) INFORMATION
This indicates that the following message is restricted to
observed facts, situations, etc..
Comment: This marker is preferably used for navigational
and traffic information, etc..
Consequences of INFORMATION will be up to the
recipient.
Example:
"INFORMATION. MV No name will overtake to the West
of you .”
(v) QUESTION
This indicates that the following message is of
interrogative character.
Comment: The use of this marker removes any doubt
on whether a question is being asked or
statement being made, especially when
interrogatives such as What, Where, Why, Who,
How are additionally used at the beginning of the
question. The recipient is expected to return an
answer.
Example:
"QUESTION.
( What is ) your present maximum draft?"
(vi) ANSWER
This indicates that the following message is the reply
to a previous question.
Comment: Note that an answer should not contain
another question.
Example:
"ANSWER. My present maximum draft is zero
seven metres."
(vii) REQUEST
This indicates that the following message is asking for
action from others with respect to the vessel.
Comment: The use of this marker is to signal: I want
something to be arranged or provided,
e.g. ship´s stores requirements, tugs, permission, etc..
Note: REQUEST must not be used involving
navigation, or to modify COLREGS.
Example: "REQUEST. I require two tugs."
(viii) INTENTION
This indicates that the following message informs
others about immediate navigational action
intended to be taken.
Comment: The use of this message marker is
logically restricted to messages announcing
navigational actions by the vessel sending this
message.
Example: "INTENTION. I will reduce my speed."
Responses
When the answer to a question is in
the affirmative, say:
"Yes, .... " - followed by the
appropriate phrase in full.
When the answer to a question is in
the negative, say:
"No, ..." - followed by the appropriate
phrase in full.
When the information requested is
not immediately available, say:
"Stand by" - followed by the time
interval within which the
information will be available.
When the information requested
cannot be obtained, say:
"No information."
When an INSTRUCTION (e.g. by a VTS-
Station, Naval vessel or other fully
authorized personnel ) or an ADVICE is
given, respond if in the affirmative:
"I will/can ... " - followed by the instruction
or advice in full; and,
if in the negative, respond:
"I will not/cannot ... " - followed by the
instruction or advice in full.
Example:
"ADVICE. Do not overtake the vessel
North of you.“
Response:
"I will not overtake the vessel North
of me."
Corrections
When a mistake is made in a message,
say:
"Mistake ..." - followed by the word:
"Correction ... " plus the corrected part of
the message.
Example: "My present speed is 14 knots -
mistake.
Correction, my present speed is 12, one-
two, knots."
Readiness
"I am / I am not ready to receive your
message".
Repetition
If any part of the message are considered
sufficiently important to need
safeguarding, say:
"Repeat ... " - followed by the
corresponding part of the message.
Example:
"My draft is 12.6 repeat one-two decimal 6
metres."
"Do not overtake - repeat - do not
overtake."
When a message is not properly
heard, say:
"Say again (please)."
Ambiguous words
Some words in English have meanings
depending on the context in which they
appear. Misunderstandings frequently
occur, especially in VTS
communications, and have produced
accidents. Such words are:
The Conditionals
"May", "Might", "Should" and "Could".
May
Do not say: "May I enter the fairway?"
Say: "QUESTION. Do I have permission to
enter the fairway?“
Do not say: "You may enter the fairway."
Say: "ANSWER. You have permission to
enter the fairway."
Might
Do not say: "I might enter the
fairway.“
Say: "INTENTION. I will enter the
fairway."
Should
Do not say: "You should anchor in
anchorage B 3.“
Say:
"ADVICE. Anchor in anchorage B 3."
Could
Do not say:
"You could be running into danger."
Say:
"WARNING. You are running into
danger."
Standard Distress Message Structure
Upon receipt of a DSC Distress Alert
acknowledgement the vessel in distress
should commence the distress traffic on
one of the international distress traffic
frequencies for telephony (VHF Channel
16 or 2182 kHz) as follows:
MAYDAY
THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-SIX-EIGHT-ZERO
MOTOR VESSELAssistance
"BIRTE"
Required
CALL SIGN DELTA ALPHA MIKE KILO Maritime
POSITION SIX TWO DEGREES ONE Mobile
ONE DECIMAL EIGHT
Service
MINUTES NORTH
Identity code
ZERO ZERO SEVEN DEGREES FOUR FOUR MINUTES EAST
I AM ON FIRE AFTER EXPLOSION
(MMSI)
I REQUIRE FIRE FIGHTING ASSISTANCE
SMOKE NOT TOXIC OVER Name of Vessel
Nature of
distress
Standard Urgency Message Structure
After the transmission of a DSC Urgency
Call switch the transmitter to VHF Channel
16 or frequency 2182 kHz (if not
automatically controlled) and commence
the urgency traffic as follows:
PAN-PAN PAN-PAN PAN-PAN
ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS ALL STATIONS
- THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-
SIX-EIGHT-ZERO
MOTORVESSEL "BIRTE" CALL SIGN DELTA
ALPHA MIKE KILO
- POSITION SIX TWO DEGREES ONE ONE
DECIMAL EIGHT MINUTES NORTH
ZERO ZERO SEVEN DEGREES FOUR FOUR
MINUTES EAST
- I HAVE PROBLEMS WITH ENGINES
- I REQUIRE TUG ASSISTANCE OVER
Standard Safety Message Structure
After the transmission of a DSC Safety
Call switch the transmitter to VHF
Channel 16 or frequency 2182 kHz (if not
automatically controlled) and transmit
the safety message as follows:
SECURITE SECURITE SECURITE
ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS IN AREA PETER
REEF
- THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-SIX-
EIGHT-ZERO
MOTORVESSEL "BIRTE" CALL SIGN DELTA ALPHA
MIKE KILO
- DANGEROUS WRECK LOCATED IN POSITION
TWO NAUTICAL MILES
SOUTH OF PETER REEF OVER
