MARCOM 2 - MARITIME VHF EXCHANGES
MARCOM 2
MARITIME VHF EXCHANGES
2.0 Introduction
Any conversation at sea, i.e. a ship-to -ship, ship-to-shore or
shore-to-ship exchange, consists of the following stages:
The smallest interactive unit (i.e. unit of conversation) in
spoken marine communications is the exchange. It refers to a single
topic and consists of two turns, one held by the controlling
station (first speaker/ship/shore-based station) and the other by
the responding station (second speaker/ship/shore-based
station).
A turn represents everything one speaker says or asks at one go,
i.e. the time between his pressing and releasing the speaker key on
the VHF radiotelephone). The speaker normally ends his turn by
using the word over as a signal indicating that he has finished his
turn and that the turn is yielded or given to the hearer, who then
takes the turn (turn-taking).
Two turns referring to a single topic (the subject of
conversation) make a maritime exchange. A single exchange, or more
usually, two or more exchanges on a single or a number of topics,
make a maritime VHF conversation.
The most important part of the turn is the move or act, the
speakers contribution to the exchange or success of conversation. A
move or an speech act may be a word, phrase, or a sentence which
the speaker uses in his turn to express his intention, query,
request or purpose of communication (e.g. MAYDAY RECEIVED; WHAT ARE
YOUR INTENTIONS?; WHAT ARE MY BERTHING INSTRUCTIONS?, etc.).
The principal acts in maritime VHF or other spoken
communications are: QUESTIONQUESTION RECEIVED
ANSWERANSWER RECEIVED
INFORMATIONINFORMATION RECEIVED
INSTRUCTIONINSTRUCTION RECEIVED
ADVICEADVICE RECEIVED
REQUESTREQUEST RECEIVED
INTENTIONINTENTION RECEIVED
WARNINGWARNING RECEIVED
These are referred to in SMCP 2001 as MESSAGE MARKERS and
introduce the speakers intention or what he is going to say of
askThe primary acts in a normal conversation are:
ACCEPTCONFIRMOBJECTION
ACKNOWLEDGEDISAGREEOFFER
AGREEGREETINGOPPOSE
ANSWEREVALUATEQUESTION
APOLOGYEXCUSE MEREACT
CALL-OFFINFORMREPEAT
CHECKINVITEREJECT
REPLYREQUESTTHANK
OTHER SPEECH ACTS / MOVES OR PHRASES (used in conducting
maritime VHF communications are): WORD or PHRASE MEANING
ACKNOWLEDGELet me know that you have received and understood
this message
AFFIRMATIVEYes, or permission granted
ALL SHIPS IN (AREA)I request that all ships receiving this
transmission (in the specified sea area) listen to what follows
BREAKI must break (into) this conversation for urgent
reasons
CALLINGI wish to speak to
CHANNELChange to channel....... before proceeding.
CONFIRMMy version is _____. Is that correct?
CORRECTIONAn error / mistake has been made in this transmission
(message indicated). The correct version is ___.
FINAL CALLI have finished my operation and wish to stop
communicating
GO AHEADProceed with your message.
HAVE A GOOD WATCH / VOYAGEA polite form of ending the
conversation, used before the word OUT.
HOW DO YOU READ?How well are you receiving me? Do you receive
me?
I READ BAD / POOR / FAIR / GOOD/WELL / EXCELLENT/15.
INTERRUPTIONI am being interrupted. I will take action to deal
with it.
I SAY AGAINUsed instead of I repeat).
I AM COMING TO YOUR ASSITANCEUsed as a response to an initial
distress message if your ship or station is able to render
assistance.
MAYDAYThe spoken word for the distress signal.
MAYDAY RELAYIs the spoken word for the distress relay
signal.
MESSAGE FOR YOUIn Radio Traffic: I have a message for you which
I intend to read. Say if you are ready to receive it. - PASS ON
YOUR MESSAGE
MISTAKEThere is a mistake in the transmission. The correct
information should be - CORRECTION:
NEGATIVENo, or that is not correct, or I do not agree.
NOTHING MOREI have finished my message
ON CHANNEL I am calling on channel
OVERMy transmission is ended and I expect a response from
you.
OUTI am terminating my transmission. Conversation is ended and
no response is expected,
PAN PANThe spoken word for the urgency signal.
PLEASE ACKNOWLEDGEIndicate that you have received what I have
just said
PLEASE READ BACKRead back to me the information that I have just
given
READING BACK:
PLEASE SPEAK IN FULL / SLOWLYDo not abbreviate your messages /
speak slowly, I have difficulty in following or understanding
PLEASE SPELL Spell (e.g. your ship's name) using the phonetic
alphabet -
I SPELL / I AM SPELLING
PLEASE USE SMCPUse SMCP (formerly SMNV) during this
conversation
PRUDONCEDuring long distress situations, communications can
resume on a restricted basis. Communication is to be restricted to
ship's business or messages of a higher priority.
READBACKRepeat all of this message back to me exactly as
received after I have given OVER. (Do not use the word
"repeat".)
ROGERI have received all of your last transmission. (not
recommended)
ROGER NUMBERI have received your message number. (not
recommended)
ROGER STANDBYI must pause for a few seconds or minutes, please
wait. (not recommended)
SAY AGAINSelf-explanatory. (Do not use the word "repeat".)
I SAY AGAIN :
SECURITEThe spoken word for the safety signal.
SEELONCEIndicates that silence has been imposed on the frequency
due to a distress situation.
SEELONCE DISTRESSIs the international expression to advise that
a distress situation is in progress, This command comes from a
vessel or coast station other than the station in distress.
SEELONCE FEENEEIs the international expression for a distress
cancellation.
SEELONCE MAYDAYIs the international expression to advise that a
distress situation is in progress. The command comes from the ship
in distress.
SORRYPolite statement of apology or for having made a MISTAKE in
transmission
STAND BY ON VHF CHANNEL Remain on VHF channel
STANDING BY ON CHANNEL
STANDING BY on ..Response to Stand by - I agree to keep watch on
VHF channel
STAY ONDo not terminate this conversation or change the subject
because I have more to say
STOP TRANSMITTINGStop transmitting on this channel (a higher
priority transmission going on or to be started)
SWITCH TO VHF CHANNEL I suggest that you switch / go / change to
channel
AGREE VHF CHANNEL Positive response to the Instruction: Switch
to VHF channel
SWITCHING TO CHANNEL I accept the suggested channel and am just
changing to / going to that VHF channel
VHF CHANNEL UNABLEI cannot switch to channel
VHF CHANNEL AVAILABLE 08 THROUGH 15I can only operate on VHF
channels from 8 to 15 (including ch. 8 and ch. 15)
THAT IS CORRECTSelf-explanatory
WHICH VHF CHANNEL?Which channel do you suggest ? SWITCH TO VHF
CHANNEL
THANK YOUPolite statement of gratitude
THIS IS Used to identify a station. My name (call sign) is
UNDERSTOODI have received and understood the information and I
shall read it back to you now. - (optional response: READBACK IS
CORRECT)
UNKNOWN SHIP I wish to make contact with the ship described. I
do not know its name or call sign (give relative position, type,
colour, course, speed)
VERIFY Check coding, check text with originator and send
Correct version.
WAIT MINUTESWait for minutes and do not terminate
WHICH VHF CHANNEL?Which channel do you suggest ? SWITCH TO VHF
CHANNEL
Exercise on phrase markers
(OTHER SPEECH ACTS / MOVES)
(used in conducting maritime VHF communications are):
Write down the VHF/SMCP phrase corresponding to the explanation
in the right column:
VHF/SMCP PHRASE MEANING
Let me know that you have received and understood this
message
Yes, or permission granted
I request that all ships receiving this transmission (in the
specified sea area) listen to what follows
I must break (into) this conversation for urgent reasons
I wish to speak to
Change to channel....... before proceeding.
My version is _____. Is that correct?
An error / mistake has been made in this transmission (message
indicated). The correct version is ___.
I have finished my operation and wish to stop communicating
Proceed with your message.
A polite form of ending the conversation, used before the word
OUT.
How well are you receiving me? Do you receive me?
I READ BAD / POOR / FAIR / GOOD/WELL / EXCELLENT/15.
I am being interrupted. I will take action to deal with it.
Used instead of I repeat).
Used as a response to an initial distress message if your ship
or station is able to render assistance.
The spoken word for the distress signal.
Is the spoken word for the distress relay signal.
In Radio Traffic: I have a message for you which I intend to
read. Say if you are ready to receive it. - PASS ON YOUR
MESSAGE
There is a mistake in the transmission. The correct information
should be - CORRECTION:
No, or that is not correct, or I do not agree.
I have finished my message
I am calling on channel
My transmission is ended and I expect a response from you.
I am terminating my transmission. Conversation is ended and no
response is expected,
The spoken word for the urgency signal.
Indicate that you have received what I have just said
Read back to me the information that I have just given
READING BACK:
Do not abbreviate your messages / speak slowly, I have
difficulty in following or understanding
Spell (e.g. your ship's name) using the phonetic alphabet -
I SPELL / I AM SPELLING
Use SMCP (formerly SMNV) during this conversation
During long distress situations, communications can resume on a
restricted basis. Communication is to be restricted to ship's
business or messages of a higher priority.
Repeat all of this message back to me exactly as received after
I have given OVER. (Do not use the word "repeat".)
I have received all of your last transmission. (not
recommended)
I have received your message number. (not recommended)
I must pause for a few seconds or minutes, please wait. (not
recommended)
Self-explanatory. (Do not use the word "repeat".)
I SAY AGAIN :
The spoken word for the safety signal.
Indicates that silence has been imposed on the frequency due to
a distress situation.
Is the international expression to advise that a distress
situation is in progress, This command comes from a vessel or coast
station other than the station in distress.
Is the international expression for a distress cancellation.
Is the international expression to advise that a distress
situation is in progress. The command comes from the ship in
distress.
Polite statement of apology or for having made a MISTAKE in
transmission
Remain on VHF channel
STANDING BY ON CHANNEL
Response to Stand by - I agree to keep watch on VHF channel
Do not terminate this conversation or change the subject because
I have more to say
Stop transmitting on this channel (a higher priority
transmission going on or to be started)
I suggest that you switch / go / change to channel
Positive response to the Instruction: Switch to VHF channel
I accept the suggested channel and am just changing to / going
to that VHF channel
I cannot switch to channel
I can only operate on VHF channels from 8 to 15 (including ch. 8
and ch. 15)
Self-explanatory
Which channel do you suggest ? SWITCH TO VHF CHANNEL
Polite statement of gratitude
Used to identify a station. My name (call sign) is
I have received and understood the information and I shall read
it back to you now. - (optional response: READBACK IS CORRECT)
I wish to make contact with the ship described. I do not know
its name or call sign (give relative position, type, colour,
course, speed)
Check coding, check text with originator and send
Correct version.
Wait for minutes and do not terminate
Which channel do you suggest ? SWITCH TO VHF CHANNEL
Exercise 2.0The following four stages in a marine VHF
conversation are in the wrong order. Rewrite the stages in the
correct sequence:Correct sequence of stages:
AGREE A WORKING VHF CHANNEL1.
EXCHANGE MESSAGES 2.
TERMINATE 3.
MAKE CONTACT 4.
MARCOM 2.1 MAKING CONTACT
Contact making includes the following steps:
CALLING STATION
RESPONDING STATION1. initial call
2.response to initial call
3.indicating the working channel
4.agreeing/disagreeing with the working channel
5. switch-over procedure switch-over procedure
Exercise 2.1The steps of the Making Call procedure below is in
the wrong sequence. Rewrite the steps in the correct order in the
Table 2.1: response to initial call
indicating the working channel; agreeing/disagreeing with the
working channel; initial call; switch-over procedureTable
2.1Calling Station
Responding Station1
2.
3.
4.
5.
Exercise 2.1.1 Initial call Initial call contains the
following:a) Address (the station you are calling; two or three
times)
b) Identify (your own station)c) (state the) VHF channel (on
which you are calling)d) Over. (turn-giving signal)Case 1. Single
station call - name of the ship being called is known:
Calling Station:
Responding Station:
* also COME IN, PLEASE - (frequently used; not suggested by
SMCP)** also GO AHEAD
(optional)Role-play 1: Work in pairs with student A playing the
role of Calling Station and student B playing the role of
Responding Station:Calling Station Responding Station
SEA BREEZE TRG6NEWPORT PILOT STATION
GENTLE OAK BRI3JEDDAH COAST STATION
DARK LADY NSCKSANTIAGO PORT CONTROL
MALINSKA HRLUGOTHENBURG VTS
GENOA PRIDE IASM9TARIFFA RADIO
GREAT CIRCLE PSWE LLOYDS SIGNAL STATION
NEWCASTLE CXQZSAVANNAH COASTGUARD
Case 2. Single station call - name and call sign of the
ship/station is
known:Calling station
Responding station
Role-play 2:
Work in pairs with student A playing the role of Calling Station
and student B playing the role of Responding Station:
Calling Station Responding Station
GOTHENBURG VTSSEA BREEZE TRG6
JEDDAH COAST STATIONGENTLE OAK BRI3
BARCELONA, JKLDDARK LADY NSCK
MADRAS II, IVCXMALINSKA HRLU
SWORDFISH, EWQO GENOA PRIDE IASM9
RIJEKA RADIOGREAT CIRCLE PSWE
JEDDAH COAST STATIONNEWCASTLE CXQZ
Case 3 General Call - name of the station/ship is unknown:
Example 1:
CALLING STATIONor
RESPONDING STATION:
or
* Though very frequent in real situations at sea, this type of
VHF communication is discouraged by SMCP 2001 and COLREGS 1972.
Instead, vessels should fully observe the Collision Regulations.Ex.
2.2
Role play 3 pair work
CALLING StationRESPONDING Station
1NEWPORT PILOT STATION Newport Waterway; VLCC, yellow funnel;
145 degr 1.6 NM from Point Mike
(SEA BREEZE TRG6)
2JEDDAH COAST STATIONJeddah VTS, ro-ro ship, blue; course and
speed: 269 degrees T, 17 miles per hour (GENTLE OAK BRI3)
3SANTIAGO PORT CONTROLGulf of Santiago, cruise ship, white, red
funnels; 89 degrees from Cabo Holy Spirit, 2,5 nautical miles;
(DARK LADY NSCK)
4GOTHENBURG VTSGothenburg VTS, Container vessel, six miles from
Mow Point, steering a course of 231, at a speed of approximateIy 8
knots(MALINSKA HRLU)
5TARIFFA RADIOpassenger ferry, white hull with green funnels. 6
miles from Tariffa harbour entrance, steering southwest, 10
knots(KORKYRA NIGRA HRZC)
6LLOYDS SIGNAL STATIONLASH type, steering a course of 50, at a
speed of 15 knots, sea area Masekar.(GREAT CIRCLE PSWE)
7SAVANNAH COASTGUARDtanker: hull colour white with black funnel
steering 85, at a speed of 10 knot(NEWCASTLE CXQZ)
Coastal Radio Traffic Lists
Example on Channel 16:
- Define the term traffic list
- Who transmits traffic lists?
- What should you (Master/OOW) do when the info on the traffic
list is transmitted?
2.1.2 Responding to initial call(a) address the station, (b)
identify your own station), and (c) finish your turn by saying
OVER. You can advise the calling station to proceed with the
message by means of the words GO AHEAD, or, if you are occupied, by
saying STAND BY followed by the estimated number of minutes until
your reply. Do not ignore the calle.g.Replying to Calls when
Information Is Missing
- if the identity of the calling station is uncertain:
2.1.3 Switching to a Working ChannelSWITCH TO (VHF CHANNEL)
Other phrases commonly used are:
CHANGE TO
GO TO
Examples:
Calling Station
Responding Station
or
If the suggested channel is not available use the phrase:
VHF CHANNEL UNABLE.
and then suggest another channel:
VHF CHANNELS AVAILABLE:
or
VHF CHANNELS AVAILABLE: THROUGH
Example:
or
If the VHF channel has not been specified by the Controlling
Station, the other station may ask the following:
QUESTION: WHICH VHF CHANNEL?
MARCOM 2.3 AGREEING TO THE WORKING CHANNELExercise 2.2 Role play
- Pair workCALLING STATIONRESPONDING STATION
1Rijeka Radio, suggests Ch. 24Marlin RTU5 agrees to change to
Ch. 24
Rijeka Radio, suggests Ch. 19Your VHF channel 19 is not in
operation. Say that you can speak on channnels from 09 to 15
Marlin RTU5 says that her channel available is 17 Rijeka radio
asks which channel is available
2Dubai Radio, suggests Ch. 18Codfish LPUJ agrees to change to
Ch. 18
Rostock Radio suggests Ch. 11Your VHF channel 11 is not in
oparation. Say that you can communicate on channnels from 12 to
20
Codfish LPUJ says that her channel available is 17 Dubai radio
asks which channel is available
Codfish LPUJ repeats that her channel available is 17 Dubai
Radio agrees
3Santiago Radio, suggests Ch. 11Seawolf MZGR agrees to change to
Ch. 11
Perth Radio suggests Ch. 22Your VHF channel 22 is not in
oparation. Say that you can communicate on channnels from 12 to
20
Seawolf MZGR says that her channel available is 23 Perth Radio
asks which channel is available
Codfish LPUJ repeats that her channel available is 23Perth Radio
agrees
Perth Radio suggests Ch. 14Seawolf MZGR agrees to change to Ch.
14
MARCOM 2.3 EXCHANGE MESSAGES
MARCOM 2.4 CLOSING EXCHANGES
OTHER
A station may say Nothing more before ending a transmission, if
it has no further messages to transmit. What will it say if it does
wish to pass on further messages?
(NB: Model answers are printed at the end of the Exercises to
Section 2.)
READABILITYMESSAGE CHECKS, etc.
1.4.3 Message Checks
In the course of VHF exchanges it is often necessary to check
mutual understanding, i.e. if the other station follows the
conversation, or when we have made a mistake during the
transmission. This is done by the use of the following SMCP
phrases:
UNDERSTOOD:
MISTAKE CORRECTION
STAY ON
NOTHING MORE
SAY AGAIN
READ BACK- How do you read?
- Wait -- -- minutes. - Please spell
- Please use SMCP 2001 - Sorry - Thank you- VHF channel -- --
unable.
END PROCEDURE: Closing exchanges:
Thank you for your cooperation.
Have a good watch. 2. Exchange of Messages
In the message exchange procedure the following message markers
(i.e. words introducing the content and purpose of the message)
are:
Message Marker
Answer to Message Marker
QUESTION
ANSWERINSTRUCTION
(INSTRUCTION RECEIVED)
ADVICE
(ADVICE RECEIVED)
REQUEST
(REQUEST RECEIVED)
INFORMATION
(INFORMATION RECEIVED)
WARNING
(WARNING RECEIVED)
INTENTION
(INTENTION RECEIVED)
Examples:
QUESTION: What are your intentions?
ANSWER: I intend to alter course to starboard
WARNING: Buoy number: one - five unlitWARNING RECEIVED: Buoy
number: one - five unlit
ADVICE: You must anchor clear of fairwayADVICE RECEIVED: I shall
anchor clear of fairway
INFORMATION: The fairway entrance is: position: bearing 1-3-7
degrees true from North Point Lighthouse, distance: 2 decimal 3
milesINFORMATION RECEIVED: The fairway entrance is: position:
bearing 1-3-7 degrees true from North Point Lighthouse, distance: 2
decimal 3 miles
REQUEST: Please supply bunkers: quantity: 3 thousand metric
tonnesREQUEST RECEIVED: Supply bunkers: quantity: 3 thousand metric
tonnes
INSTRUCTION: Steer course two - two - three degrees true.
reason: to comply with traffic separation schemeINSTRUCTION
RECEIVED: I shall steer course two - two - three degrees true to
comply with traffic separation scheme
INTENTION: I intend to reduce speed, new speed: eight
knotsINTENTION RECEIVED: You intend to reduce speed, new speed:
eight knots
For further information on message exchanges, e.g.
communications on arrival at a port, berthing and unberthing, etc.
see units 18-23.
3. End Procedure
In the end procedure the conversation is terminated, by
confirming the previous turn: UNDERSTOOD or by saying: NOTHING MORE
or GOING BACK TO CHANNEL ONE SIX or I'LL GIVE YOU A CALL BACK WHEN
ON BUOY DELTA ONE TWO, and by adding a polite greeting:
HAVE A GOOD WATCH
HAVE PLEASANT VOYAGE TO
Finally, the closing phrase OUT or OVER AND OUT is used;
e.g.:
CALLING STATION
RESPONDING STATIONSeaside VTS. This is Aries. Your message
understood. Nothing more. Thank you. Have a pleasant voyage to
Ceuta. Over.
Aries. This is Seaside VTS. Thank you. Have a good watch. Over
and out.
For further information and practising maritime VHF
communications see SEASPEAK 1985, SMNV 1977/1985 and SMCP 1997.
2. EXCHANGE OF MESSAGES
3. END
PROCEDURE
1. MAKING CONTACT
RIJEKA RADIO, RIJEKA RADIO, RIJEKA RADIO
THIS IS MARLIN DLG3Y, MARLIN DLG3Y.
(CALLING) ON CHANNEL 16.*
OVER
MARLIN DLG3Y, MARLIN DLG3Y.
THIS IS RIJEKA RADIO, RIJEKA RADIO (ON VHF CHANNEL
ONE-SIX)**
OVER
SEA BASS VC3G, SEA BASS VC3G, SEA BASS VC3G,
THIS IS NEWHAVEN RADIO, NEWHAVEN RADIO,
ON CHANNEL 16
OVER
NEWHAVEN RADIO, NEWHAVEN RADIO THIS IS SEA BASS VC3G, SEA BASS
VC3G, SEA BASS VC3G,
ON CHANNEL 16
OVER
ALL SHIPS, ALL SHIPS, ALL SHIPS
IN SEA AREA BAY OF RIJEKA,
CALLING UNKNOWN SHIP, TYPE: TANKER, HULL COLOUR: BLUE, COURSE:
158 DEGREES, SPEED: 14 KNOTS.
THIS IS RIJEKA RADIO, RIJEKA RADIO.
OVER
OVER
ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS
IN SEA AREA MAAS APPROACH,
CALLING UNKNOWN SHIP IN POSITION:
BEARING: 1-8-5 DEGREES FROM BOUY B15 DISTANCE: 0.6 MILES.
THIS IS ROTTERDAM VTS.
OVER.
ROTTERDAM VTS. ROTTERDAM VTS.
THIS IS SEA URCHIN, N-W-F-9,
IN POSITION:
BEARING: 1-8-5 DEGREES FROM PUNTA STELLA, DISTANCE: 4.6
MILES.
OVER.
CONTAINER VESSEL ON MY PORT BOW*, CONTAINER VESSEL ON MY PORT
BOW,
COURSE: 172 DEGREES, SPEED: 12 KNOTS.
THIS IS MOTOR TANKER SHELLFISH, MOTOR TANKER SHELLFISH ON YOUR
STARBOARD BOW.
OVER.
ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS, ALL STATIONS
THIS IS
TOFINO COAST GUARD RADIO
(repeated up to 3 times)
FOR TRAFFIC LIST, LISTEN (SWITCH TO) CHANNEL 26
TOFINO COAST GUARD RADIO
OUT
MARLIN DL2352.
THIS IS
RIJEKA RADIO
GO AHEAD
OVER
STATION CALLING SPLIT RADIO
SAY AGAIN
OVER
PULA, HR5432.
THIS IS ALGECIRAS RADIO.
SWITCH TO (VHF CHANNEL) 2 5
OVER
ALGECIRAS RADIO.
THIS IS PULA, HR5432.
AGREE VHF CHANNEL 2 - 5
OVER
ALGECIRAS RADIO.
THIS IS PULA, HR5432.
AGREE: SWITCHING TO VHF CHANNEL 2 - 5
OVER
ALGECIRAS RADIO.
THIS IS PULA, HR5432.
VHF CHANNEL AVAILABLE: 2 4.
OVER
ALGECIRAS RADIO.
THIS IS PULA, HR5432.
VHF CHANNELS AVAILABLE: 2 4 THROUGH 2 - 8.
OVER
