In the case of an emergency, what is the first step in radio communication?

In an emergency, the appropriate first step in radio communication is to state "Mayday" followed by the name of your vessel. This is the internationally recognized distress call indicating that a vessel is in grave and imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. By announcing "Mayday," you capture the attention of all stations listening to the frequency, signaling the urgency of your situation. Following this, clearly stating your vessel's name helps ensure that responding units can identify you and your specific distress call.

Using a distress call like "Mayday" is critical in situations where time is of the essence, and it sets the tone for the urgency of the ensuing communication. This protocol is part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) guidelines and ensures that all radio operators acknowledge the seriousness of the situation immediately.

While stating your location or identifying your vessel are important pieces of information to relay during a distress call, they come afterward. The primary objective in an emergency radio communication is first to communicate that you are in distress, quickly followed by pertinent details that can assist in rescue operations.