Unit 38

COMMUNICATIONS
URGENCY, SAFETY
Urgency messages are preceded by the marker word PAN PAN and are sent by a
station (ship) which has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety
of a ship or a person. It is transmitted on VHF channel 16, unless a distress
communication is in progress on this channel. It can only be transmitted with the
authorisation of the master or person responsible for the ship or aircraft.

EXAMPLE

PANPAN PANPAN PANPAN

THIS IS
SEAURCHIN SEAURCHIN SEAURCHIN.
PANPAN.
SEAURCHIN MIKE CHARLIE PAPA NOVEMBER.
POSITION: BEARING: ONESIXFIVE DEGREES TRUE.
DISTANCE: ONEZERO MILES FROM CAPE SLACK.
STEERING GEAR FAILURE.
REQUIRE TOW.
OVER.

The ship receiving this message can acknowledge the receipt of it as follows:

PAN PAN
SEAURCHIN, MIKE CHARLIE PAPA NOVEMBER.
THIS IS
SHELLMARU, ALFA, SIERRA SIERRA SIERRA.
PAN PAN RECEIVED.
OVER.

Since Mayday procedure only covers situations where the whole ship (or
maritime venture) is threatened, requests for medical assistance or urgent
evacuation to save life or limb are transmitted under PAN PAN procedure. When
using the International Code of Signals, to avoid ambiguity or misunderstanding,
the ICS codes are to be prefixed by INTERCO MEDICAL and ended by END
OF INTERCO, e.g.

PAN PAN
THIS IS WHALE WHALE WHALE.
WHALE, MIKE:ROMEO SIERRA TANGO.
POSITION: LAT. 05° 30’ N, LONG. 020° 11’ W
INFORMATION

INTERCO MEDICAL
MIKE ALFA ALFA
 MIKE QUEBEC PAPA
END OF INTERCO
OVER

MAA: I require urgent medical advice (See ICS)

MQP: I cannot make a diagnosis
Safety communications are preceded by the marker word SÉCURITÉ,
pronounced /'sei 'kju: ri: 'tei/. This procedure is used when a station (ship or
coastal station) transmits a message containing an important navigational or
meteorological warning concerning all ships in this area. Safety communications
are conducted on a working VHF channel, and have priority over all other
transmissions except those referring to distress and urgency situations, e.g.

SÉCURITÉ SÉCURITÉ SÉCURITÉ.

ALL SHIPS ALL SHIPS.
THIS IS MALIBU MALIU MALIBU
SÉCURITÉ
NAVIGATIONAL INFORMATION.
EAST BUOY No.3 UNLIT
I SAY AGAIN EAST BUOY No.3 UNLIT
OUT

Communication subjects other than safety, urgency and distress normally include
such situations as SAR, collision avoidance, manoeuvring, navigational
instructions and information (tides, currents), meteorological reports, forecasts
and information, breakdowns, special operations, anchoring, berthing, arrival, tug
and pilot arrangements, port regulations, bunkering, cargo operatìons, etc.

EXAMPLES
1. Navigational instruction:
Alter course to port and keep clear of the fairway. Reason: a tanker is to leave
harbour soon.
2. Arrival in port:
You are leaving my screen. Change to channel one two as you are entering
waters covered by Trieste port control. You must heave up anchor. You have
anchored in a wrong position. You are obstructing other traffic.
3. Port Control:
All ships. This is Seawave Port Control. Navigational Warnings. There is a gas
leakage from a damaged pipeline in position close to Refinery Point. Vessels are
advised to avoid this area.

IMO STANDARD MARINE COMMUNICATION PHRASES

III/2 - URGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

2.1.1 - Engine and equipment

I am not under command in position ... .
What problems do you have?
- I have problems with main engine / steering gear / propeller /... .
- I am manoeuvring with difficulty.
- Keep clear of me.
- Navigate with caution.
- Vessel not under command in position ... .
- I require tug assistance.
- I require escort.
- Keep in contact on VHF channel … .
- Vessels in vicinity of position ... keep sharp lockout (for ...).

2.1.2 -Cargo
I have lost dangerous substance of IMO-Class ... in position... .
MV... lost dangerous substance of IMO-Class ... in position... .
Containers with dangerous substance of IMO-Class... adrift near position... .
Barrels/drums with dangerous substance of IMO-Class ... adrift near
position... .
I am/MV... spilling dangerous substance of IMO-Class ... in position....
I am/MV... spilling crude oil in position... .
Require oil clearance assistance - danger of pollution imminent.

2.1.3 - Ice damage

I have/MV... has major damage above/below waterline.
Extent of damage unknown.
What kind of assistance do you require?
- I require ice-breaker assistance.
- I require escort.

I have/MV... has stability problems due to heavy icing.

III/1.3 - PERSON OVERBOARD

I/MV... lost person overboard in position... .

Assist with search in vicinity of position... .
All ships in vicinity of position ... keep sharp lockout and report to … .
I am/MV... proceeding for assistance and, arriving at... UTC.
Search in vicinity of position... .
I am/MV... searching in vicinity of position... .
Can you continue search?
Stop search and return to base.
What is result of search?
- Result of search negative.
- I/MV ... located person in position ... .
- I/MV ... picked up person in position ... .
- Person picked up is crewmember of MV ....

What is condition of person?

- Condition of person bad/good.

III/l .4 - REQUESTING MEDICAL ASSISTANCE

 I require medical assistance.
What kind of assistance do you require?
- I require boat for hospital transfer.
- I require radio medical advice.
- I require helicopter with doctor.
- I require helicopter to pick up person.
- I will arrange for boat.
- I will arrange for medical advice on channel... /frequency ... .
- I will arrange for helicopter.

Boat/helicopter will arrive within... hours/at... UTC.

Have you doctor on board?
- Yes, I have doctor on board.
- No, I have no doctor on hoard.

Can you make rendezvous in position... ?

- I will send boat/helicopter to pick up doctor.

Transfer person to my vessel by boat/helicopter,

- Transfer of person not possible.
A. Comprehension & vocabulary
A.1 Complete the following sentences:
1. The order of priority of the three main procedures concerning safety at sea is
_____________________.
2. A distress procedure at sea is used in case of _____________________.
3. Mayday is the marker word used in ____________________ .
4. The urgency marker word is ____________________.
5. Distress communications are conducted on VHF channel ________________.
6. An urgency procedure is used in case of ____________________.
7. A safety procedure is applied when _____________________.
8. When describing medical symptoms the ship should consult
_________________.

A.2 Write down an appropriate message to be transmitted by the bridge VHF

radio for the following circumstances:

1. Your vessel BARD, call sign GDCW, position 124 degrees from Oak Point
has struck an underwater mine and is shipping water in the engine-room.
2. A deckhand has been seriously injured in fighting a storeroom fire. Seek
advice from the nearest medical authorities. Your vessels name: BRICK,
LLAD, pos. 10°16' N, 58°50' E. Use ICS.
3. Coastal Station VEGA announces that DECCA chain 2B is not working.
4. Your vessel POLAR1S, INDN, pos. 25° 10' N, 120°05' E, grounded near
Palua Beach. You require tow; wind blowing offshore.
5. Your vessel PRINCE, 1NDD, pos. 100 deg from Refinery quay suffered
 steering gear failure in busy waters.
6. You have an engine breakdown and are drifting in calm open sea. You expect
to resume the voyage within one hour.
7. In order to avoid collision you want to inform the head on vessel that you are
altering your course in five minutes; new course 165 deg.
8. As pilot you want the pilot ladder to be rigged on stbd side, one metre above
the water.
9. Because of a gale pilotage will be suspended until next notice.

A.3 Supply the following missing words:

• collision • communications • out • securite • channel • speed
• dent • assistance • securite-securite-securite

Coast Station
1. _______________. All ships, all ships. Please communicate the
following to all ships in the vicinity. There has been a 2. ___________________
between vessels Unknown and the Moon in position 30°45' S, 50°02' W at 0200
UTC. The Unknown has received a minor 3. ____________________ above the
water line and is proceeding at full 4. ____________________ . The Moon can
repair damage without 5. ____________________ in about 4 hours. Channel 16
is used for 6. ____________________ between Unknown, Moon and Anchorage
Station. Please do not enter it. Use 7. _______________________ 21 for any call
8. ___________________.

A.4 Study the maritime communications below. Write down the communication
subjects choosing from the following list. Give the possible situational
background and context for the messages:

• navigational instruction • navigational information • safety

• urgency • distress • meteorological report
• pilot and tug arrangements • bunkering • phone conversation
• anchoring • pilot regulations

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

1. Depth in the main fairway is: two-zero metres from seaward until position;
buoy number: three, and one-zero metres between position; buoy number:
three and position: dry dock entrance.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

2. Alter course to starboard and keep clear of the controlled fairway, reason: a
tanker is to leave harbour soon.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

3. A deep low centered over Western Balkans extending into a wide trough
covering almost the entire Mediterranean resulting in tight gradient over
Mediterranean Sea.
 - Plymouth: W backing SW, 5 or 6, locally gale 8, gusting to 10, thundery
rain, visibility moderate or good with some fog patches.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

4. I am unable to alter course, reason: steering gear failure.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

5. I am ready for you to come alongside me, and I am stopping now. - Please
keep clear of me; reason: my tow restricts my ability to manoeuvre.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

6. Is your anchor dragging?
- Weigh your anchor.
- Anchor in position:

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

7. Gulf pilot service is suspended, reason: freezing ice and gale force wind.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

8. You are not permitted to run your main engine when you are at the berth.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

9. MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY, MAYDAY RELAY
This is TINGSTADE radio,
TINGSTADE radio, TINGSTADE radio.
Following received on VHF
channel 16 (sixteen) at 0843
Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) from
Canadian vessel «Barbara» call
sign Delta Golf Foxtrot Golf
stop have 15 (fifteen) I say
again one five degrees list
stop position 4 (four) miles
east GOTSKA SANDOEN, I shall spell:
Golf Oscar Tango Sierra Kilo
Alfa Sierra Alfa November
Delta Oscar Echo November
(date and time) 180845

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

10. What is the oil type and redwood number? What is the maximum rate of
delivery?

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

11. We intend to close down all radio frequencies now; reason: gas venting.
 COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________
12. PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN PAN
all stations, all stations, all stations
This is Swedish vessel NIROS NIROS NIROS
CALL SIGN Sierra Lima Uniform Zulu (SLUZ)
Man over board in position latitude
54°13' (fifty-four degrees, thirteen minutes)
North and longitude 04°36' (zero four degrees, thirty-six minutes) East.
Ships in vicinity please keep sharp lockout

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

13. The operator dials the number and speaks to the subscriber: Good morning
(afternoon, evening). This is Stockholm radio, Sweden. I have a
radiotelephone call for you from the British ship «Silver Eagle». One moment
please.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: ______________________

14. Gothenburg the «Mary J.» OK. We have an A.B.Seaman (a stoker, mate,
sailor etc.) here suffering from severe pain in his stomach since early this
morning. He is 28 years old. His temperature is now 39.8 (thirty-nine point
eight) Centigrade. Pulse rate is 91 (ninety-one). We are bound for Lysekil
from Esbjerg. Estimate arrive Lysekil tomorrow morning at 8 (eight) AM,
and our nearest port is Skagen. Over.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

15. SECURITÉ SECURITÉ SECURTTÉ - ALL SHIPS, ALL SHIPS, ALL
SHIPS - Stockholm radio Stockholm radio calling. Gale warning and weather
forecast. Listen on 2754 and VHF traffic channels. Stockholm radio. Going
over.

COMMUNICATIONAL SUBJECT: _____________________

16. Decca warning: Switch to VHF channel zero-six.

B. Grammar
B.1 Rearrange the sentences in italics to obtain full and grammatically correct
questions:

Unknown:
Anchorage Station, Anchorage Station. This is Unknown speaking. I receive
your transmission on bearing 120'. I intend to pass through Vedlaz Channel.
Anchorage Station:
Unknown, Unknown. Anchorage Station here. Your present position, course and
speed.
 Unknown:
My present course is 080 deg. My present position is 58°01' N 140°07' W. My
speed is 14 knots. I enter Vedlaz Channel.
Anchorage Station:
You can enter the channel at 2000.
Unknown:
Indicate the magnetic course for me to steer towards you.
Anchorage Station:
You should steer your present course. You should keep on the starboard side of
the channel. There is an uncharted obstruction in the center of the fairway. The
second lane of the traffic separation scheme is not navigable.
Unknown:
The least depth of water on the starboard side of the fairway. My draft forward is
30 feet. My draft aft is 28 ft.
Anchorage Station:
There is sufficient depth of water on the starboard side of the fairway, the least
depth of water is 60 ft. You should proceed at half speed. Radar assistance is
available for you. Take hearings from my radio signals.
Unknown:
I receive your transmission. I am proceeding through the channel. I should leave
channel at 2030 local time. Out.

B.2 Supply the right articles (definite, indefinite or zero article):

1. _____ 18-mile long oil slick sighted near M tank (motor tanker) Exxon Valdez
will delay 2. _____ vessel's entry into San Diego Bay until officials determine its
source. 3. ____ Exxon Valdez arrived off San Diego late Sunday (July 4. ____ 9)
from Alaska in tow but must be certified by 5. _____ Coast Guard as
environmentally safe before she is allowed into San Diego Bay. She had been
scheduled to enter 6. _____ bay yesterday for repairs at National Steel and
Shipbuilding Co.; 7. ____ aircraft spotted 8. _____ oil slick near 9. _____ Exxon
Valdez, which is about 30 miles off San Diego, but 10. _____ Coast Guard
officials who inspected her on Monday morning found no signs of leakage from
11. _____ tanker. 12. ______ slick is 13. _____ sheen 18 miles long and about
14. _____ mile wide.

B.3 Find the Italian equivalents for the words below and give their English
pronunciation:

1 Frontal region of head ____________________

2 Side of head ____________________
3 Top of head ____________________
4 Face ____________________
5 Jaw ____________________
6 Neck front ____________________
7 Shoulder ____________________
8 Clavicle ____________________
 9 Chest ____________________
10 Chest mid ____________________
11 Heart ____________________
12 Armpit ____________________
13 Arm upper ____________________
14 Forear ____________________
15 Wrist ____________________
16 Palm of hand ____________________
17 Fingers ____________________
18 Thumb ____________________

19 Central upper abdomen ____________________

20 Central lower abdomen ____________________
21 Upper abdomen ____________________
22 Lower abdomen ____________________
23 Lateral abdomen ____________________
24 Groin ____________________
25 Scrotum ____________________
26 Testicles ____________________
27 Penis ____________________
28 Upper thigh ____________________
29 Lower thigh ____________________
30 Middle thigh ____________________
31 Knee ____________________
32 Patella ____________________
33 Front of leg ____________________
34 Ankle ____________________
35 Foot ____________________
36 Toes ____________________
37 Back of head ____________________
38 Back of neck ____________________
39 Back of shoulder ____________________
40 Scapula region ____________________
41 Elbow ____________________
42 Back upper arm ____________________
43 Back lower arm ____________________
44 Back of hand ____________________
45 Lower chest region ____________________
46 Spinal column upper ____________________
47 Spinal column middle ____________________
48 Spinal column lower ____________________
49 Lumbar (kidney) region ____________________
50 Sacral region ____________________
51 Buttock ____________________
52 Anus ____________________
53 Back of thigh ____________________
54 Back of knee ____________________
55 Calf ____________________
56 Heel ____________________

Other organs of the body

57. Artery ______________________
58. Bladder ______________________
59. Brain ______________________
60. Breast 61. Ear(s) ______________________
62. Eye(s) ______________________
63. Eyelid(s) ______________________
64. Gall bladder ______________________
65. Gullet (Oesophagus) ______________________
66. Gums ______________________
67. Intestine ______________________
68. Kidney ______________________
69. Lip lower ______________________
70. Lip upper ______________________
71. Liver ______________________
72. Lungs ______________________
73. Mouth ______________________
74. Nose ______________________
75. Pancreas ______________________
76. Prostate ______________________
77. Rib(s) ______________________
78. Spleen ______________________
79. Stomach ______________________
80. Throat ______________________
81. Tongue ______________________
82. Tonsils ______________________
83. Tooth, teeth ______________________
84. Urethra ______________________
85. Uterus, womb ______________________
86. Vein ______________________
87. Voice box (larynx) ______________________
88. Whole abdomen ______________________
89. Whole arm ______________________
90. Whole back ______________________
91. Whole chest ______________________
92. Whole leg ______________________

List of common diseases

1. Abscess ______________________
2. Alcoholism ______________________
3. Allergic reaction ______________________
4. Amoebic dysentery ______________________
5. Angina pectoris ______________________
6. Anthrax ______________________
7. Apoplexy (stroke) ______________________
8. Appendicitis ______________________
9. Asthma ______________________
10. Bacillary dysentery ______________________
11. Boils ______________________
12. Bronchitis (acute) ______________________
13. Bronchitis (chronic) ______________________
14. Brucellosis ______________________
15. Carbuncle ______________________
16.Cellulitis ______________________
17. Chancroid ______________________
18. Chicken pox ______________________
19. Cholera ______________________
20. Cirrhosis of the liver ______________________
21. Concussion ______________________
22. Compression of brain ______________________
23. Congestive heart failure ______________________
24. Constipation ______________________
25. Coronary thrombosis ______________________
26. Cystitis (bladder inflammation) ______________________
27. Dengue ______________________
28. Diabetes ______________________
29. Diabetic coma ______________________
30. Diphtheria ______________________
31. Drug reaction ______________________
32. Duodenal ulcer ______________________
33. Eczema ______________________
34. Erysipelas ______________________
35. Fits ______________________
36. Gangrene ______________________
37. Gastric ulcer ______________________
38. Gastro-enteritis ______________________
39. Gonorrhoea ______________________
40. Gout ______________________
41. Heat cramps ______________________
42. Heat exhaustion ______________________
43. Heat stroke ______________________
44. Hepatitis ______________________
45. Hernia ______________________
46. Hernia (irreducible) ______________________
47. Hernia (strangulated) ______________________
48. Immersion foot ______________________
49. Impetigo ______________________
50. Insulin overdose ______________________
51. Indigestion ______________________
52.Influenza ______________________
53. Intestinal obstruction ______________________
54. Kidney stone (renal colic) ______________________
55. Laryngitis ______________________
56. Malaria ______________________
57. Measles ______________________
58. Meningitis ______________________
59. Mental illness ______________________
60. Migraine ______________________
61. Mumps ______________________
62. Orchitis ______________________
63. Peritonitis ______________________
64. Phlebitis ______________________
65. Piles ______________________
66. Plague ______________________
67. Pleurisy ______________________
68. Pneumonia ______________________
69. Poisoning (corrosive) ______________________
70. Poisoning (non-corrosive) ______________________
71. Poisoning (barbiturates) ______________________
72. Poisoning (methyl alcohol) ______________________
73. Poisoning (gases) ______________________
74. Poliomyelitis ______________________
75. Prolapsed inter-vertebral disc
(slipped disc) ______________________
76. Pulmonary tuberculosis ______________________
77. Quinsy ______________________
78. Rheumatism ______________________
79. Rheumatic fever ______________________
80. Scarlet fever ______________________
81. Sciatica ______________________
82. Shingles (herpes zoster) ______________________
83. Sinusitis ______________________
84. Shock ______________________
85. Smallpox ______________________
86. Syphylis ______________________
87. Tetanus ______________________
88. Tonsillitis ______________________
89. Typhoid ______________________
90. Typhus ______________________
91. Urethritis ______________________
92. Urticaria (nettle rash) ______________________
93. Whooping cough ______________________
94. Yellow fever ______________________

C. Translation
C.1 Translate the types of diseases below and give their pronunciation:
Yellow fever ______________________
Bladder inflammation ______________________
Duodenal ulcer ______________________
Prolapsed intervertebral disc ______________________
Malaria ______________________
Intestinal obstruction ______________________
Phlebitis ______________________
Typhus ______________________
Syphilis ______________________
Scarlet fever ______________________
Pleurisy ______________________
Smallpox ______________________
Rheumatic fever ______________________
Peritonitis ______________________
Gout ______________________
Cholera ______________________
Chicken pox ______________________
Brucellosis ______________________
Asthma ______________________
Bacillary dysentery ______________________
Diphtheria ______________________
Tetanus ______________________
D. Reading and writing skills
D.1 The dialogues a. b. c. d. show the communication procedure on the arrival of
a ship in the port of New York, but they are not in the right chronological
order. Rearrange them as appropriate and describe the roles of the Master
and of the Pilot Station in the arrival communication procedure.

Station A - The Italian container ship «Salurnia»

Station B - St. Ambroze Pilot, New York

a.
A -Ambroze Pilot, Ambrose Pilot. This is the Italian container vessel «Saturnia»,
GDY8. Come in, please.
B - This is Ambroze Pilot.
A - Yes, this is «Saturnia».
B - Would you switch to channel 13?
A -Switching to channel 13. Over.
A -Ambroze Pilot. This is «Saturnia».
B - Good morning. Sir. What is your ETA Ambroze?
A - My ETA Ambrose Pilot is approximately 09.00 hours.
B - Roger, Sir. Can I have your deep draft, please?
A - My deep draft is 09.40 metres.
B - All right. Sir. Your draft is 09.40 metres. Sir?
A -That's correct, 9.40.

b.
A - Amhroze Pilot. «Saturnia».
B -This is Ambroze Pilot. Channel 8.
A -Channels.
A - Ambrose Pilot, «Saturnia».
B - This is Ambroze Pilot. Go ahead. Sir.
A - Yes, shall I keep this direction or do I have to come closer to you? Over.
B - Just slow down and stop, and have your pilot ladder ready. Sir.
A " O.K. I'm slowing down and wailing for you. Pilot ladder on the starboard
side.
B - O.K. Thank you very much.

c.
A -Ambroze Pilot, Ambrose Pilot. «Saturnia».
B - (no response)
A -Ambroze Pilot, Ambroze Pilot. This is «Saturnia».
B - «Satumia». This is Ambroze Pilot. Ahead, Sir.
A - Well, I just want to confirm our arrival 09.00. Over.
B - O.K., Captain. Arrival 09.00 hours.
 d.
B - «Saturnia». This is Ambroze Pilot.
A - Yes, this is «Saturnia».
B - Good morning. Sir. What is your ETA Ambroze?
A - My ETA Ambrose Pilot is approximately 09.00 hours.
B - Roger. Can I have your deep draft, please?
A - Ambroze Pilot. «Saturnia».
B - «Saturnia». Your deep draft, please.
A - My deep draft is 9,40 metres. Sir.
B - Your draft aft is 9.40 metres. Sir?
A - Yes. 9.40 metres. Sir.
B - O.K. Thank you, Sir. Starboard ladder, and approach the Ambroze Light-
house from the east. Thank you, Sir.
A - O.K., Sir. Starboard ladder, approach from the east. Thank You, Sir.
B - OK., Sir. Keep the buoy on the starboard. Pilot on arrival.
A -O.K., Sir.