trying to figure out my VHF

[OtterGreen]

And then a pan pan comes over ch 16 for the LI Sound with a vessel in distress.. Hope they make it okay.

[jackdale]

Pan pan is an urgency, not a distress. The vessel has a problem but neither the vessel nor the crew is in danger.

[OtterGreen]

Any sort of urgency on a vessel is bad news- if they are headed for imminent danger are they not in distress ?

[PaulinVictoria]

Not yet. I think pan-pans are typically used when one runs out of tequila for margaritas.

[OtterGreen]

They just resent it, vessel in distress off LI Sound all mariners in vicinity report to CG and prepare to offer assistance near Bridgeport buoy 8 .. Sounds like vessel and crew are in distress to me..

[jackdale]

They may be out of fuel, engine won't start, not a distress.

The Canadian Coast Guard escorted me across the Nahwitti Bar last month; no urgency, no distress.

Anyone who issues an pan-pan probably knows what they are doing.

[jimjazzdad]

Pan Pan comes from the french word "panne" = breakdown. Used for any kind of a situation where help may be needed but mortal danger is not present - tow, fuel, etc.

Mayday comes from the french "m'aidez" = help me! I'm in danger! Should only be used when the loss of vesel or life is imminent.

Pan Pan Medico is used for health emergencies, like a broken arm etc. but is not used much in North America anymore

[bubb2]

If the Mother-in-law goes overboard it's a Securite call. It's a Pan Pan if the wife goes overboard. It's a mayday if I go overboard.

[jackdale]

Originally Posted by jimjazzdad

Pan Medico is used for health emergencies, like a broken arm etc.

I do not believe that pan medico is in official use.

§ 80.327 Urgency signals.
(a) The urgency signal indicates that
the calling station has a very urgent
message to transmit concerning the
safety of a ship, aircraft, or other vehicle, or the safety of a person. The urgency signal must be sent only on the
authority of the master or person responsible for the mobile station.
(b) In radiotelegraphy, the urgency
signal consists of three repetitions of
the group XXX, sent with the individual letters of each group, and the
successive groups clearly separated
from each other. It must be transmitted before the call.
(c) In radiotelephony, the urgency
signal consists of three oral repetitions
of the group of words PAN PAN transmitted before the call.

http://edocket.access.gpo.gov/cfr_20...7cfr80.327.pdf

[emoney]

Pan-Pan usually means, "This stupid (x) is broke again and I need a (y)!" to me.
Not that they don't need someone to come by as soon as they can to help out, but it
doesn't necessitate the same urgency as mayday.

Or, since it's already been answered you could just disregard anything I've said......