Mayday vs. Pan-Pan: What’s the Difference?

When something goes wrong on the water, knowing how to call for help is critical. Two important VHF calls every boater should know are Mayday and Pan-Pan. While both are used to request assistance, they serve different purposes depending on the severity of the situation.

Understanding the difference between these calls, when to use each one, and how to communicate your situation can help you get the right assistance when you need it.

What Does Mayday Mean?

Mayday is an internationally recognized distress call hailed when a person or vessel is in immediate, life-threatening danger. This includes emergencies such as a sinking or capsized boat, an uncontrolled fire, a person overboard, or a serious injury requiring immediate medical attention.

A Mayday call signals that immediate assistance is needed and should only be used in a true emergency. It should not be used for routine assistance requests, such as a tow for a disabled boat that is otherwise safe. Misusing a Mayday call can divert valuable rescue resources away from those who need them most.

What Does Pan-Pan Mean?

Pan-Pan is also an internationally recognized urgency call but used when a person or vessel needs prompt assistance and is not in immediate, life-threatening danger. Unlike Mayday, Pan-Pan is used for urgent situations that have not yet become critical.

Examples include a disabled boat drifting toward a hazard, a medical issue that requires attention but is not life-threatening, or a navigation problem that could put the vessel at risk. If conditions worsen and the situation becomes life-threatening, a Pan-Pan call may need to be upgraded to a Mayday.

Mayday vs. Pan-Pan at a Glance

The key difference between a Mayday and Pan-Pan call is the severity of the situation and how urgently assistance is needed.

• Mayday: Used when a person or vessel is in immediate, grave danger, and requires emergency assistance.
• Pan-Pan: Used when a situation is urgent and could become dangerous but does not pose an immediate threat to life or the vessel.
• Routine Assistance: Used for non-emergency situations, such as a mechanical breakdown when the boat and everyone on board are safe. In this case, contact a marine assistance provider like Sea Tow directly.

Remember, conditions on the water can change quickly. If an urgent situation becomes a life-threatening emergency, don’t hesitate to escalate from Pan-Pan to Mayday.

which vhf channel should you use?

VHF Channel 16 is the primary channel used for distress and emergency communications in U.S. coastal waters and many inland waterways. Whether you’re making a Mayday or Pan-Pan call, use Channel 16 first to communicate your situation and request assistance. Keep your message clear and concise so the channel remains available for other emergency communications.

If your VHF radio is equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC), you can also use its distress button to send an emergency alert. When properly registered and configured, a DSC radio can transmit your vessel’s identity and location to help rescuers find you. After sending a DSC distress alert, follow your radio’s instructions and make a voice Mayday call on Channel 16 if possible.

How to Make a Mayday Call

In an emergency, stay calm, and communicate clearly so rescuers can respond as quickly as possible. If you need to make a Mayday call, tune your VHF radio to Channel 16, press the push-to-talk button, and follow these steps:

1. begin with mayday

Say “Mayday” three times, followed by “This is” and your vessel’s name three times. Include your call sign or registration number to help identify your boat. Then repeat Mayday and your vessel’s name before sharing your location.

2. share your location

Give your latitude and longitude, along with a recognizable landmark, channel marker, inlet, or marina. If you don’t know your exact location, provide as much information as possible about where you are.

3. State the Nature of Distress

Clearly describe what’s happening, whether your boat is sinking, there’s a fire on board, someone has fallen overboard, or you’re facing another life-threatening situation.

4. State the Assistance Needed

Explain what kind of help you need, such as an immediate rescue or emergency medical assistance.

5. provide other relevent details

State how many people are on board, if anyone is injured, and if everyone is wearing a life jacket. Give a description of your boat, including its size, type, and color, along with any hazards rescuers should be aware of.

6. Release the Button and Listen

End your message with “Over,” release the push-to-talk button, and listen for a response. Keep your radio on Channel 16 unless instructed otherwise. If you don’t receive a response, repeat your Mayday call when it’s safe to do so.

example of a Mayday Call

“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is [vessel name], [vessel name], [vessel name], [call sign or registration number].

Our position is [latitude and longitude or recognizable location].

We are [describe the emergency] and need [type of assistance].

There are [number] people on board. [Injuries, life jackets, vessel description, hazards].

There are [number] people on board. [Provide details about injuries, life jackets, vessel description, and potential hazards]. Over.”

How to Make a Pan-Pan Call

A Pan-Pan call follows a similar process to a Mayday call but is used for urgent situations that are not immediately life-threatening. Tune your VHF radio to Channel 16 and follow these steps:

1. begin with pan-pan

Say “Pan-Pan” three times, followed by the station you’re calling, such as the Coast Guard, and your vessel’s name.

2. Share Your Location

Provide your latitude and longitude or describe your location using nearby landmarks, channel markers, or other recognizable points.

3. Explain the Situation

Clearly describe what’s happening, such as losing propulsion and drifting toward a hazard or experiencing a medical issue that requires attention.

4. Request Assistance

Explain what kind of help you need and provide additional details, including the number of people on board and any potential hazards.

5. Listen for a Response

End your message with “Over,” release the push-to-talk button, and listen for instructions.

Remember, a Pan-Pan call is intended for urgent safety concerns, not routine assistance requests. For example, if your boat breaks down but you’re safely anchored in calm conditions, contacting a marine assistance provider like Sea Tow directly may be more appropriate. However, if conditions worsen and your boat begins drifting toward rocks or taking on water, you may need to escalate to a Mayday call.

EXAMPLE OF A Pan-Pan Call

“Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan. All stations, all stations, all stations.

This is [vessel name and identification].

Our position is [latitude and longitude or recognizable location].

We are experiencing [describe the urgent situation] and need [type of assistance].

There are [number] people on board. [Provide relevant details about your vessel, weather conditions, medical concerns, or potential hazards].
Over.”

The important distinction is that Pan-Pan communicates urgency without declaring immediate, grave danger, whereas Mayday signals a distress situation requiring immediate assistance.

When Should You Make a Routine Assistance Call Instead?

Not every problem on the water requires a Mayday or Pan-Pan call. If your boat breaks down but you and your passengers are safe and there’s no immediate danger, you can contact Sea Tow directly by VHF radio, phone, or through the Sea Tow app.

When requesting assistance, be prepared to share your location, a description of your boat, the number of people on board, and details about the problem you’re experiencing. Let the dispatcher know whether you’re anchored or drifting, and any other conditions that could affect your safety.

Before heading out, make sure you and your crew know how to contact Sea Tow if assistance is needed. Remember, conditions on the water can change quickly. If a routine breakdown becomes an urgent or life-threatening situation, make a Pan-Pan or Mayday call.

What if You Cannot Reach Anyone on Channel 16?

If you make a Mayday or Pan-Pan call on VHF Channel 16 and don’t receive a response, don’t give up. There are several steps you can take to improve your chances of reaching someone and getting the assistance you need.

• Repeat your call: Listen briefly for a response, then repeat your message clearly, including your location and the nature of the emergency.
• Check your radio: Make sure it’s powered on, tuned to Channel 16, and that the volume and squelch settings are adjusted correctly.
• Inspect your antenna: If it’s safe to do so, check that your antenna is properly connected and hasn’t been damaged.
• Use your DSC distress button: If your radio is equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC), activate the distress function when appropriate.
• Try another communication method: Use a handheld VHF radio, satellite communicator, emergency beacon, or cell phone if available. In a life-threatening emergency, activate your EPIRB or PLB if you have one.
• Use visual distress signals: Flares, electronic distress lights, and other approved signals can help nearby vessels or rescuers locate you.
• Ask another boater for help: If you’re able to reach a nearby vessel, ask them to relay your emergency message to the Coast Guard.

Keep in mind that your VHF radio’s range can be affected by several factors, including antenna height, equipment condition, and surrounding terrain. Learn more about common communication issues and how to address them in Sea Tow’s guide to improving VHF radio range.

What Information Should you have ready before heading out?

Being prepared before leaving the dock can make a big difference in an emergency. Make sure you and your passengers know where to find important safety information and how to communicate with rescuers if assistance is needed. Keep the following information readily available on board:

• Vessel identification: Boat name, registration number, call sign, and Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number if applicable.
• Emergency radio instructions: A quick-reference guide for making Mayday and Pan-Pan calls.
• Location information: Know how to find and share your GPS coordinates using your chartplotter, VHF radio, or another navigation device.
• Vessel description: Boat length, type, color, and any distinguishing features that could help rescuers identify you.
• Safety equipment: Know the location of life jackets, emergency beacons, visual distress signals, and other essential safety gear.
• Emergency contacts: Have contact information for Sea Tow, your marina, and local emergency services.
• Float plan: Share your planned route, expected return time, and passenger information with someone onshore.

If your VHF radio has DSC capabilities, make sure your MMSI is properly registered and your radio is connected to a reliable GPS source. It’s also a good idea to show at least one other person on board how to operate the radio and activate its distress function in case you’re unable to make the call yourself.

Common Marine Radio Mistakes to avoid

Knowing how to use your VHF radio is just as important as having one on board. In an emergency, even small communication mistakes can delay the response or make it harder for rescuers to find you. Here are common mistakes to avoid:

• Waiting too long to call for help: Don’t wait until your situation becomes critical or your boat’s battery or radio fails.
• Not knowing your location: Make sure you know how to find and communicate your GPS coordinates or describe your location using nearby landmarks.
• Speaking too quickly or providing unnecessary details: Speak slowly and clearly, and focus on your location, the emergency, and the assistance you need.
• Using Mayday for a routine breakdown: Reserve Mayday for situations involving grave and imminent danger. Contact a marine assistance provider directly for non-emergency issues.
• Using Pan-Pan during a life-threatening emergency: If you or your vessel are in immediate, grave danger, make a Mayday call instead.
• Leaving out important information: Don’t release the microphone before communicating essential details, especially your vessel’s name and location.
• Holding down the microphone while waiting for a response: Release the push-to-talk button after speaking so you can hear rescuers respond.
• Failing to update your MMSI registration: Make sure your registered vessel and contact information are accurate and up to date so rescuers can identify your boat in an emergency.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is a disabled boat automatically a Mayday emergency?

No. If your boat breaks down but you’re safely anchored or drifting without immediate danger, you may only need routine assistance from an on-water assistance provider like Sea Tow. However, if conditions worsen and your boat begins drifting toward rocks, taking on water, or putting passengers in immediate danger, a Mayday call may be necessary.

Can I call Pan-Pan for a medical emergency?

Yes, if the medical situation requires urgent attention but isn’t immediately life-threatening. For serious medical emergencies where someone’s life is in immediate danger, use Mayday to request emergency assistance.

Should I press the red distress button before making a mayday call?

If your VHF radio is equipped with Digital Selective Calling (DSC) and is properly configured, you can use the red distress button to send an emergency alert. Follow your radio’s instructions, then make a voice Mayday call on VHF Channel 16 if possible. This helps rescuers receive both your vessel’s identifying information and details about the emergency.

does Sea Tow monitor VHF Channel 16?

Sea Tow’s VHF monitoring capabilities vary by location. Channel 16 is the designated distress, safety, and calling channel, but you can also contact Sea Tow directly by calling 800-4-SEATOW, through the Sea Tow app, or by calling the local franchise number directly.

What does Sécurité mean on a marine radio?

Sécurité (pronounced “say-cure-ee-tay”) is a marine radio safety signal used to announce important safety information, such as navigation hazards or weather warnings. Unlike Mayday or Pan-Pan, sécurité is used to share information that helps keep boaters safe.

Sea Tow Team

Sea Tow has been the premier leader in on-water boating assistance since 1983. We want to share news, press, tips and all things boating.

Updated on: October 29, 2026 - Created on: October 29, 2026