Mayday is a distress signal used to signal or call for help. The term originates from the French phrase “m’aidez” meaning “help me”. It is used worldwide as a distress signal in voice communications, signaling situations ranging from urgent to life-threatening. The Mayday protocol has a specific format and procedure associated with it when used as a distress signal. Understanding the meaning and proper use of Mayday is critical for effective emergency communications.
Origin and History
The term Mayday has its origins in the French phrase “m’aidez”, meaning “help me”. This is a shortening of the French phrase “venez m’aider” which translates to “come help me”. The term was adopted as an international radiotelephony distress signal at the second International Radiotelegraph Convention in 1927. The use of the word was proposed and ratified due to its pronunciation similarity across different languages.
Though it originated in French, Mayday is an English spelling of the pronunciation of “m’aidez”. The spelling was anglicized specifically to reduce confusion in voice transmissions across languages. This helped standardize the distress signal word to be recognized more easily in emergency situations.
Prior to its formal adoption, a number of different distress signal codes were used in radiotelegraph communications. SOS was one commonly used Morse code sequence. Italy used SSSDDD and DDDSSS. England used CQD, meaning “Come Quick Danger”. Germany used SOE. With the adoption of Mayday in 1927, these various signals were largely replaced by the new standard.
Key Events in Mayday History
- 1909 – Use of CQD distress signal adopted for Marconi International Marine Communication Company.
- 1912 – CQD used as distress signal during the Titanic disaster.
- 1927 – Mayday formally adopted as voice distress signal at the International Radiotelegraph Convention in Washington, D.C.
- 1948 – Use of Mayday formally incorporated into the civil aviation authority International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO).
- 1959 – Mayday procedures updated in the ITU Radio Regulations.
- 1976 – Mayday procedures further codified in the ICAO air traffic control manual.
Since its adoption, Mayday has served as the primary worldwide standard for voicing distress during aviation, marine, and other radio communications emergencies for nearly a century.
Modern Usage as a Distress Signal
Mayday is used worldwide when immediate help is needed due to an emergency scenario. It is a critical distress signal that initiates emergency protocol in life threatening situations. The United States Coast Guard defines a mayday call as “a distress call made when a craft or person is threatened by grave or imminent danger and requires immediate assistance.”
Some examples of life threatening situations that warrant a Mayday call include:
- Medical emergencies such as heart attack or loss of consciousness
- Fire or explosion
- Rapid loss of structural or flight integrity in aircraft
- Man overboard emergencies in marine vessels
- Piracy and armed attacks
During these types of emergencies, the word Mayday is repeated three times at the start of the emergency transmission to signal high urgency:
“Mayday Mayday Mayday”
This gets the attention of any listeners and alerts them to the imminent danger of the situation. It should only be used in situations of grave or immediate danger where loss of life or vessel is likely without immediate assistance.
Mayday Call Format
A standard format and procedure is used when voicing a Mayday call. This ensures the critical details are communicated efficiently so help can be dispatched quickly.
The Mayday call procedure follows this general format:
- Call sign – Identify the vessel or party in distress 3 times (e.g. “Mayday Mayday Mayday this is Bluebird Bluebird Bluebird”)
- Position – Report current coordinates and location
- Nature of distress – Report the emergency (fire, medical, etc.)
- Assistance needed – Request specific types of help needed
- Information about people and craft – number of people, type of vessel, etc.
This ensures the critical details get conveyed: who needs help, where they are, what happened, and what kind of assistance they need. Additional details are also provided such as number of passengers, contact numbers, and additional information as needed.
Emergency Frequency Used for Mayday
Different emergency frequencies are designated for Mayday calls depending on the type of craft and circumstances. However, 121.5 MHz is the primary emergency frequency monitored across all types of radio services globally. Both civil and military monitoring systems cover this frequency. It can be used for any aircraft or marine vessel emergency.
For civil aviation emergencies, 243.0 MHz is also monitored. Marine vessels have an emergency frequency of 2182 kHz. Different services also have additional emergency channels assigned depending on the region and operations.
Mayday Protocol and Procedures
Given the need for clear and efficient transmission of details during life threatening distress calls, a formal Mayday protocol is followed to ensure emergency responders get the critical information they need.
The basic Mayday procedure is:
- Initiate call – Begin call with “Mayday Mayday Mayday” repeated three times.
- Identify vessel – Identify self with name and call sign; repeat 3 times.
- Report position – Relay current coordinates and location.
- Report situation – Describe emergency and threat details.
- Request assistance – Ask for needed responding support.
- Provide details – Give craft specs, number of people, contact info.
- Listen and respond – Stop transmitting and listen for acknowledgement.
This ensures all responders know who needs help, where they are, the nature of the emergency, and how to contact them or deliver assistance. Clarity is critical so the Mayday should be spoken slowly and calmly with clear pronunciation if possible. It also needs to be brief to leave space for responders to acknowledge receipt.
Expectations After Transmitting a Mayday
After completing the Mayday call, the party in distress should stop transmitting to listen for a response. They can expect acknowledgement of receipt of the distress call and confirmation that help is on the way after broadcasting a Mayday message.
A responding party will attempt contact and transmit the following if receiving the message:
- Identification of responding party
- Acknowledgment of Mayday message
- Notification that distress message was received
- Indication that assistance is being initiated
- Request for additional details if needed
This lets the distressed vessel confirm their message was heard and help is coming. It also allows additional details to be transmitted to the responding party as needed.
Canceling a Mayday Distress Call
If the emergency situation is resolved before assistance arrives, it is important to cancel the Mayday call. This is done by transmitting “Mayday Cancel” on the emergency frequency, identifying one’s vessel, and stating the nature of the initial distress. This prevents emergency responders from continuing to an emergency that no longer exists.
Regulations for Proper Mayday Use
Given Mayday initiates high urgency emergency response protocols, both civil and military regulations govern its use. Proper procedure and only using it in appropriate life threatening circumstances are enforced.
International civil aviation and maritime organizations have officiated Mayday regulations including ICAO, IMO and ITU. Key rules include:
- Only use for grave and imminent danger emergencies
- Initiate call with “Mayday Mayday Mayday”
- Provide vessel ID, position, and distress details
- Use 121.5 MHz and follow distress protocol
- Only for imminent danger to craft and lives
Military forces also adhere to these conventions. Additionally, they stipulate Mayday only be used when no combat operations advantage can be gained from the emergency situation.
Misuse of Mayday procedures can incur regulatory fines and other legal consequences. Severe misuse may result in criminal charges in certain jurisdictions.
Mayday Call Examples
To better understand Mayday protocol in action, here are two examples of effective Mayday calls during emergency situations:
Maritime Mayday Call
Vessel: “Mayday Mayday Mayday, this is sailing vessel Bluebird, Bluebird, Bluebird, Victor Whiskey 9-3, Victor Whiskey 9-3, Victor Whiskey 9-3. Position is 4 miles west of Nantucket Shoals at bearing 210 degrees. We have struck a submerged object and are taking on water. Request immediate assistance. 4 people on board. Bluebird is 40 foot sloop with white hull and blue deck. Can be reached on channel 16 and mobile 978-555-1122. Over.”
Responder: “Bluebird, Bluebird, Bluebird, this is Coast Guard Station Nantucket on channel 16. We copy your Mayday and location. Help is on the way. Stay by your radio if possible. Over.”
Aviation Mayday Call
Pilot: “Mayday Mayday Mayday. Cessna 172, Golf Alpha Bravo, Golf Alpha Bravo, Golf Alpha Bravo. Position is 5 miles south of Daytona Beach airport at 900 feet. Both engines have failed. Request immediate landing assistance. 4 souls on board. Contact info is 800-555-3499. Over.”
Air traffic control: “Golf Alpha Bravo, Daytona tower copies your position and distress. Clear the runway for immediate landing, emergency vehicles dispatched.”
These examples demonstrate how a Mayday call effectively communicates the critical details responders need – identification, location, nature of distress, assistance needed, and contact information. This allows them to efficiently dispatch assistance directly where it is needed.
Distress Signal Alternatives
While Mayday is recognized worldwide as the primary radio distress signal, there are a few other emergency signals that also indicate a request for help in certain contexts.
Pan-Pan
Pan-Pan is the international radiotelephony urgency signal. It indicates there is an urgent situation developing, but not yet a grave or immediate danger warranting Mayday. It follows a similar format:
“Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, this is Bluebird, Bluebird, Bluebird…”
It alerts responders to an urgent situation that could escalate to distress requiring immediate assistance. It is often used if a craft has a mechanical failure but is not yet in imminent danger.
SOS
Though Mayday has largely replaced SOS for radiotelephony, SOS is still recognized as a Morse Code distress signal. The SOS signal is transmitted as three dots, three dashes, then three dots (. . . – – – . . .). It can be used as an emergency signal for maritime or aviation craft able to transmit Morse Code.
Visual Distress Signals
For situations where radio communication is difficult or impossible, visual distress signals can be used to call for help. These include:
- Orange smoke signals – Indicates distress and need for immediate assistance.
- Flames or smoke – Using materials on hand to create a large fire.
- Mirror flashes – Flashing a mirror surface to reflect sunlight and get attention.
- Flags – Waving or displaying a large cloth flag to signal distress.
These are universal methods vessels and people use to call for emergency help when unable to radio a Mayday call.
Conclusion
Mayday is the critical international distress signal for radio voice communications indicating immediate help is needed. It originated from the French term “m’aidez” meaning “help me”. Mayday is used when there is grave or imminent danger requiring emergency assistance.
A formal Mayday protocol is followed to efficiently communicate key details to responders – identification, position, emergency details, and assistance needed. By properly using Mayday, craft and people in distress can initiate emergency response and get help when facing life threatening danger.