CRITICAL

Emergency Communications

VHF, SSB, and Satellite communication protocols for emergency situations in Prince William Sound.

Emergency Communications

VHF Channel 16 is the primary emergency frequency monitored by the U.S. Coast Guard and other vessels. Given the steep, mountainous terrain of Prince William Sound, VHF radio signals are often blocked.

Marine VHF Radio

  • Monitor VHF Channel 16 at all times while underway.
  • Use VHF Channel 16 for hailing and distress calls ONLY. Once contact is established, switch to a working channel (e.g., 68, 69, 71, 72).
  • Radio Dead Zones: Mountainous terrain blocks signals. If transmission fails, try another location or seek higher ground if using a handheld VHF.
  • Relay Calls: If you hear a MAYDAY call from a vessel that the Coast Guard does not acknowledge, you are obligated to relay the message.

Digital Selective Calling (DSC) & MMSI

Digital Selective Calling is a vital safety tool integrated into modern VHF-FM radios.

  • The Red button: Pushing and holding the red “DISTRESS” button automatically transmits a silent digital alert with GPS coordinates to the USCG and all nearby vessels without requiring voice transmission.
  • MMSI Number: To use DSC distress features, you must obtain a free 9-digit Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number (available from BoatUS) and program it into your radio.
  • GPS Connection: Ensure your VHF radio is wired directly to your GPS receiver so that active lat/long coordinates are sent during a distress alert.

Transmitting a MAYDAY

Only transmit a MAYDAY if you are in immediate danger of losing your vessel or life.

  1. Tune to VHF Channel 16.
  2. Say: “MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.”
  3. Say: “This is the vessel [Vessel Name], [Vessel Name], [Vessel Name].”
  4. State your position (GPS coordinates or bearing/distance to a known landmark).
  5. State the nature of your distress (e.g., sinking, fire, medical emergency).
  6. State the number of people on board and any injuries.
  7. Wait for a response. If none, repeat.

MAYDAY Info Checklist: Be prepared to provide the Coast Guard with:

  • Vessel description: length, propulsion type, hull color, registration number.
  • On-scene weather: wind speed/direction, sea height/swell direction, visibility, cloud ceiling.
  • Safety equipment aboard: survival suits, life rafts, EPIRBs.

📡 Interactive VHF MAYDAY Script Generator

If experiencing an immediate life-threatening emergency, use this tool to construct your verbal VHF radio script before keying the microphone. Practice speaking it aloud to ensure absolute clarity.

return `MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY.\n` +
       `THIS IS ${vName}, ${vName}, ${vName}, ${cSign}.\n\n` +
       `MAYDAY, ${vName}.\n` +
       `POSITION: ${loc}.\n` +
       `NATURE OF DISTRESS: ${nat}.\n` +
       `PERSONS ON BOARD: ${pCount}.\n` +
       `VESSEL DESCRIPTION: ${vDesc}.\n\n` +
       `WE REQUIRE IMMEDIATE ASSISTANCE.\n` +
       `OVER.`;

}, copyScript() { navigator.clipboard.writeText(this.formattedScript); this.copied = true; setTimeout(() => this.copied = false, 2000); } }” style=“margin: 2rem 0; padding: 2rem; border-radius: 12px; border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.08); background: rgba(10, 15, 30, 0.4); display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1.25rem;“>

Distress Call Formulator

Standardized Marine VHF Distress Protocol 
<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px;">
  <label style="font-size: 0.6875rem; font-family: monospace; color: #a0aec0; letter-spacing: 0.08em;">CALL SIGN / REGISTRATION #</label>
  <input type="text" placeholder="e.g. AK 1234 AB / WYD 1234" x-model="callSign" style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.3); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); border-radius: 6px; padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem; color: #fff; font-size: 0.875rem; width: 100%;" />
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; grid-column: 1 / -1;">
  <label style="font-size: 0.6875rem; font-family: monospace; color: #a0aec0; letter-spacing: 0.08em;">VESSEL POSITION / LOCATION</label>
  <input type="text" placeholder="e.g. 60d 48m N, 148d 25m W OR 2 NM south of Decision Point" x-model="location" style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.3); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); border-radius: 6px; padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem; color: #fff; font-size: 0.875rem; width: 100%;" />
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px; grid-column: 1 / -1;">
  <label style="font-size: 0.6875rem; font-family: monospace; color: #a0aec0; letter-spacing: 0.08em;">NATURE OF DISTRESS</label>
  <input type="text" placeholder="e.g. Onboard electrical fire / Sinking, taking on water through stern transom" x-model="nature" style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.3); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); border-radius: 6px; padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem; color: #fff; font-size: 0.875rem; width: 100%;" />
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px;">
  <label style="font-size: 0.6875rem; font-family: monospace; color: #a0aec0; letter-spacing: 0.08em;">PERSONS ON BOARD (SOULS)</label>
  <input type="number" placeholder="4" x-model="pax" style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.3); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); border-radius: 6px; padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem; color: #fff; font-size: 0.875rem; width: 100%;" />
</div>

<div style="display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 4px;">
  <label style="font-size: 0.6875rem; font-family: monospace; color: #a0aec0; letter-spacing: 0.08em;">VESSEL DESCRIPTION</label>
  <input type="text" placeholder="e.g. 32ft white powerboat with blue canvas trim" x-model="desc" style="background: rgba(0,0,0,0.3); border: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.1); border-radius: 6px; padding: 0.5rem 0.75rem; color: #fff; font-size: 0.875rem; width: 100%;" />
</div>

  



Alternative Radio & Satellite Communications


    

  • Single Side Band (SSB): Monitored by the Coast Guard on HF frequency 4125 kHz or 2182 kHz, providing much greater range than line-of-sight VHF.
    • 

  • Phones: Cell coverage is extremely limited. However, Alaska is the only state where dialing **CG (24) connects directly to the USCG Sector Juneau Command Center (when placed from an Alaskan cellular provider). If connected, give your number first in case of disconnection, specify your GPS position, and state the nature of the emergency. Satellite phones are a superior phone option, but speak to only one person and cannot be traced by radio direction finders.
    • 

  • EPIRB / PLB / Satellite Messengers: Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacons (EPIRBs) and Personal Locator Beacons (PLBs) use satellites to transmit registered distress signals. Satellite messengers (such as Garmin inReach or SPOT) are excellent for remote areas to send tracked locations and custom text alerts.
    •