I.

SMCP General Procedures

A. Procedure

When it is necessary to indicate that the SMCP are to be used, the following message may be sent:

"Please use Standard Marine Communication Phrases."

"I will use Standard Marine Communication Phrases."

B. Spelling

C. Message Markers
1. 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 s/he has
contradictory safety reasons which then have to be reported to the sender.

Example: "INSTRUCTION. Do not cross the fairway.”

2. 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."

3. 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."

4. 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 Noname will overtake to the West of you ."

5. 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?"

6. 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."

7. 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."

8. 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."

A. Responses:

1. Affirmative/Negative - 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.

2. When the information requested is not immediately available -

"Stand by" - followed by the time interval within which the information will be available.

3. When the information requested cannot be obtained - When the information requested cannot be
obtained, say: "No information."

4. Vessel Traffic Service or VTS Station - 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."

Respond: "I will not overtake the vessel North of me."

5. Distress, Urgency, and Safety Signals ( Repeated 3 times)

Mayday- to be used to announce a distress message
Pan pan- to be used to announce an urgency message
Securite- to be used to announce a safety message

6. Standard Organizational Phrases- this refer to the signal in communication

How do you read (me)?
I read you…
Bad/ one- with signal strength one (i.e. barely perceptible)
Poor/ two- with signal strength two (i.e. weak)
Fair/ three- with signal strength three (i.e. fairly good)
Good/ four- with signal strength four (i.e. good)
Excellent/ five- with signal strength five (i.e. very good)

When it is advisable to remain on a VHF Channel / frequency say: "Stand by on VHF Channel ... /
frequency ... "

When it is accepted to remain on the VHF channel / frequency indicated, say: "Standing by on VHF
Channel ... / frequency ... "

When it is advisable to change to another VHF Channel / frequency, say: "Advise (you) change to VHF
Channel ... / frequency ... ." "Advise(you) try VHF Channel .. / frequency... ."

When the changing of a VHF Channel / frequency is accepted, say: "Changing to VHF Channel ... /
frequency ... ."

7. 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."

8. Readiness - "I am / I am not ready to receive your message".

9. Repetition - If any part of the message is 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)."

10. Numbers - Numbers are to be spoken in separate digits:

"One-five-zero" for 150
"Two decimal five" or Two point five” for 2.5

Note: Attention! When rudder angles e.g. in wheel orders are given, say:
"Fifteen" for 15 or
"Twenty" for 20 etc..

11. Positions - When latitude and longitude are used, these shall be expressed in degrees and minutes
(and decimals of a minute if necessary), North or South of the Equator and East or West of Greenwich.

Example: "WARNING. Dangerous wreck in position 15 degrees 34 minutes North 061 degrees 29
minutes West."

When the position is related to a mark, the mark shall be a well-defined charted object. The bearing
shall be in the 360 degrees notation from true north and shall be that of the position FROM the mark.

Example: "Your position bearing 137 degrees from Big Head lighthouse distance 2.4 nautical miles."

12. Bearings - The bearing of the mark or vessel concerned, is the bearing in the 360 degree notation from
north (true north unless otherwise stated), except in the case of relative bearings. Bearings may be
either FROM the mark or FROM the vessel.

Examples: "Pilot boat is bearing 215 degrees from you."

Note: Vessels reporting their position should always quote their bearing FROM the mark, as
described in the statement earlier.

Relative bearings - can be expressed in degrees relative to the vessel's head. More frequently this is
in relation to the port or starboard bow.

Example: "Buoy 030 degrees on your port bow." (Relative D/F bearings are more commonly
expressed in the 360 degree notation.)

13. Courses - Courses Always to be expressed in 360 degree notation from north (true north unless
otherwise stated). Whether this is to TO or FROM a mark can be stated.
14. Distances - Preferably to be expressed in nautical miles or cables (tenths of a mile) otherwise in
kilometres or metres, the unit always to be stated.

15. Speed - To be expressed in knots: without further notation meaning speed through the water; or,

"ground speed" meaning speed over the ground.

16. Time - Times should be expressed in the 24 hour UTC notation; if local time will be used in ports or
harbours it should clearly be stated.

17. Geographical names - Place names used should be those on the chart or in Sailing Directions in use.
Should these not be understood, latitude and longitude should be given.

18. 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."

The word "Can" either describes the possibility or the capability of doing something. In the SMCP
the situations where phrases using the word "Can" appear make it clear whether a possibility is
referred to. In an ambiguous context, however, say, for example: "QUESTION. Do I have permission
to use the shallow draft fairway at this time?", do not say: "Can I use the shallow draft fairway at this
time?", if you ask for a permission. (The same applies to the word "May")
II. Internal Communication
A. Standard wheel order

All wheel orders given should be repeated by the helmsman and the officer of the watch should ensure
that they are carried out correctly and immediately. All wheel orders should be held until
countermanded. The helmsman should report immediately if the vessel does not answer the wheel.
When there is concern that the helmsman is inattentive s/he should be questioned:

"What is your heading ?" And s/he should respond:

"My heading is ... degrees."

ORDER MEANINGS
1. Midships Rudder to be held in the fore and aft position
2. Port five 5° of starboard rudder to be held.
3. Port ten 10°of port rudder to be held.
4. Port fifteen 15°of port rudder to be held
5. Port twenty 20° of port rudder to be held.
6. Port twenty- five 25°of port rudder to be held.
7. Hard-a-port Rudder to be held fully over to port
8. Starboard five 5° of starboard rudder to be held.
9. Starboard ten 10°of starboard rudder to be held.
10. Starboard fifteen 15°of starboard rudder to be held
11. Starboard twenty 20° of starboard rudder to be held.
12. Starboard twenty- five 25°of starboard rudder to be held.
13. Hard-a-starboard Rudder to be held fully over to starboard.
14. Ease to five Reduce amount of rudder to 5° and hold
15. Ease to ten Reduce amount of rudder to 10° and hold
16. Ease to fifteen Reduce amount of rudder to 15° and hold
17. Ease to twenty Reduce amount of rudder to 20° and hold
18. Steady Reduce swing as rapidly as possible.
19. Steady as she goes Steer a steady course on the compass heading
indicated at the time of the order. The helmsman is to repeat the order and call out the compass
heading on receiving the order. When the vessel is steady on that heading, the helmsman is to
call out: "Steady on ..."
20. Finished with the wheel No more steering.

ORDER COURSE TO BE STEERED

21. “Port, steer one eight two” 182°

22. “Starboard, steer zero eight two” 082°
23. “Port, steer three zero five” 305°

B. Standard Engine Orders

ORDER MEANINGS
1. Full ahead Maximum maneuvering engine revolutions for ahead propulsion.
 2. Half ahead Revolutions as indicated in ship’s orders.
3. Slow ahead Revolutions as indicated in ship’s orders.
4. Dead slow ahead Revolutions as indicated in ship’s orders.
5. Stop engine No engine revolutions.
6. Dead slow astern Revolutions as indicated in ship’s orders
7. Slow astern Revolutions as indicated in ship’s orders.
8. Half astern Revolutions as indicated in ship’s orders
9. Full astern Maximum maneuvering engine revolutions for
astern propulsion.
10. Emergency full ahead/astern Revolutions as indicated in ship’s orders
11. Stand by engine Engine-room personnel fully ready to maneuver
and bridge manned with personnel to relay engine
orders.
12. Finished with the engines Movement of engineers no longer required.
13. Bow thrust full to port Ship’s head to move to port with power as specified
14. Bow thrust full to starboard Ship’s head to move to starboard with power as specified
15. Bow thrust stop No bow thrust revolution.
III. External Communication
A. STANDARD DISTRESS MESSAGE
Structure
1. Mayday (repeated 3 times)
This is………….
2. 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity code (MMSI) plus name/ call sign or other
3. identification of the vessel calling
4. - the position of the vessel
5. - the nature of distress
6. - the assistance required
7. - any other information which might facilitate rescue
8. Over

Make an Example:

MAYDAY - THIS IS TWO-ONE-ONE-TWO-THREE-NINE-SIX-EIGHT-ZERO MOTOR VESSEL "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 AM ON FIRE AFTER EXPLOSION

- I REQUIRE FIRE FIGHTING ASSISTANCE

- SMOKE NOT TOXIC OVER

B. STANDARD URGENCY MESSAGE

1. PAN PAN (repeated three times)
2. All Stations (repeated three times)
THIS IS
3. - the 9- digit MMSI of the vessel plus name/ call sign or other identification
4. - the position of the vessel
5. - the text of the urgency of the message
 Make an Example:

-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

C. STANDARD SAFETY MESSAGE

1. SECURITE (repeated three times)
2. All Stations (or all ships in a specific geographical area, or to a specific station) (repeated three
times)
THIS IS
3. - the 9- digit MMSI of the vessel plus name /call sign or other identification
4. - the text of the safety message
5. Over

Make an Example:

-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

IV. SHIPBOARD OPERATION AND EMERGENCY SITUATIONS

A. Bridge routines

General Alarm

In case of a general alarm:

Rush to muster station with a life jacket, immersion suit, and act according to the vessel’s Muster Lists.

Act as per the emergency explained by the in-charge officer.

B. Preparation for anchoring

C. Bunker
D. Piracy
E. Oil spill

Pollution prevention

In case of any oil spill/pollution, immediate action should be taken according to the vessel’s “Shipboard Oil
Pollution Prevention Plan”.

Emergency Plan (SOPEP) and Onboard SOPEP Equipment located in Deck Stores should be used in case of Oil
Spill.
F. Man overboard

In case of Man Overboard Signal:

Rush to the deck and try to locate the crew member fallen in the water

Throw lifebuoy and inform deck.

G. Collison
H. Fire on board/explosion

Fire alarm

In case of a fire alarm:

Inform Officer On Watch.

Check if it is a false or true alarm.

Report back of findings.

In case of fire, raise the Fire/General alarm as soon as possible. Try to stop fire and if it is not possible, muster
according to the Fire Muster List.

I. Grounding