IT’S SAFER TO ENJOY
THE SEAS WHEN YOU
KNOW THE BASICS
Marine safety is one of the most important considerations before and during your journey out on the waves. We’ve compiled a small list of useful telephone numbers and codes that you should always either remember or print out to take with you on board. Of course you should also refer to the maritime authority for more important information about the Do’s and Don’ts out at sea and equally any notices or warnings which are issued on a regular basis.
Have a look at the below:
| Flag |
Phonetical Alphabet |
Morse Code |
Meaning |
 |
A – Alpha |
._ |
Diver down–Keep clear |
 |
B – Bravo |
_… |
Dangerous cargo/Re-fueling |
 |
C- Charlie |
_._. |
Yes |
 |
D – Delta |
_.. |
Keep clear, manoeuvring with difficulty |
 |
E – Echo |
. |
Altering course to starboard |
 |
F – Foxtrot |
. . _ . |
Disabled, communicate with me |
 |
G – Golf |
_ _ . |
Request a pilot |
 |
H – Hotel |
. . . . |
Pilot on board |
 |
I – India |
. . |
Altering course to port |
 |
J – Juliett |
. _ _ _ |
On fire, have dangerous cargo, keep clear |
 |
K – Kilo |
_ . _ |
Wish to communicate |
 |
L – Lima |
. _ . . |
Stop instantly |
 |
M – Mike |
_ _ |
Vessel stopped, making no way |
 |
N – November |
_ . |
No |
 |
O – Oscar |
_ _ _ |
Man overboard |
 |
P – Papa |
. _ _ . |
In harbour – all persons report on board |
 |
Q – Quebec |
_ _ . _ |
Request free pratique |
 |
R – Romeo |
. _ . |
|
 |
S – Sierra |
. . . |
Engines going astern |
 |
T – Tango |
_ |
|
 |
U – Uniform |
. . _ |
You are running into danger |
 |
V – Victor |
. . . _ |
Require assistance |
 |
W – Whiskey |
. _ _ |
Require medical assistance |
 |
X – Xray |
_ . . _ |
Stop your intentions, watch for signals |
 |
Y – Yankee |
_ . _ _ |
Am dragging anchor |
 |
Z – Zulu |
_ _ . . |
Require a tug |
Cardinal Markers
USEFUL TELEPHONE NUMBERS
| Ambulance/Fire/Police |
112 |
| AFM Air/Sea Rescue |
Daytime +356 2180 9279
After 1600 & weekends +356 2182 4220 |
| Rescue – Helicopter |
+356 2124 4371 |
| Rescue – Patrol Boat |
+356 2123 8797 |
| Hospital |
Malta: +356 2545 0000
Gozo: +356 2156 1600 |
| Weather Forecast |
+356 5230 200 |
| Police Headquarters |
+356 2122 4001 |
| Valletta Port Control |
VHF Channel 09 or 12 or +356 2124 1363 |
DISTRESS CALLS
- All calls to be transmitted on VHF Channel 16
- Securite’ – this is to be used to notify the relevant authorities of any danger to navigation.
- Pan-Pan – this is to be used when there is an emergency on board that does not pose danger to the vessel or crew.
Example of a distress call:
N.B. Securite’, Pan-Pan and Mayday calls all use the same format.
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is the motor yacht ‘NAME’, ‘NAME’, ‘NAME’. Mayday ‘NAME’. My position is (latitude and longitude or a distance and compass bearing from a distinct object or landmark). My vessel is on fire and sinking. 6 persons on board. We are abandoning vessel into a dinghy. Over.
Beaufort Scale
| Force |
Wind (Knots) |
WMO Classification |
Appearance |
| 0 |
|
Calm |
Mirror-like sea |
| 1 |
1 – 3 |
Light air |
Scaly ripples – no foam crests |
| 2 |
4 – 6 |
Light breeze |
Small wavelets – no breaking |
| 3 |
7 – 10 |
Gentle breeze |
Large wavelets – crests begin to break |
| 4 |
11 – 16 |
Moderate breeze |
Small waves 1-4ft, numerous whitecaps |
| 5 |
17 – 21 |
Fresh breeze |
Moderate waves 4-8ft, many whitecaps, some spray |
| 6 |
22 -27 |
Strong breeze |
Larger waves 8-13ft, whitecaps common, more spray |
| 7 |
28 – 33 |
Near gale |
Sea heaps up, waves 13-20ft, white foam streaks off breakers |
| 8 |
34 -40 |
Gale |
Moderately high (13-20ft) waves of greater length, foam blown in streaks |
| 9 |
41 – 47 |
Strong gale |
High waves (20ft), sea begins to roll, spray may reduce visibility |
| 10 |
48 – 55 |
Storm |
Very high waves (20-30ft) with overhanging crests, sea white, lowered visibility |
| 11 |
56 – 63 |
Violent storm |
Exceptionally high (30-45ft) waves, foam patches cover sea, visibility more reduced |
| 12 |
64+ |
Hurricane |
Air filled with foam, waves over 45ft, sea completely white with driving spray, visibility greatly reduced |
