Analysis of the Language of Distress in Maritime English
Hot Saut Halomoan, M. Hum
Lecturer of STBA Buddhi Tangerang, West Java, Indonesia
ABSTRACT
The paper analyses
the language of emergency one of the most important topics used in
teaching English
for Maritime Studies. There are two or three areas of
the dialog
analysed, the language or
structure and words
and terms used. The purpose of
this article
is to provide lecturers
insights for teaching Maritime
English particularly regarding this
distress topic. The
data are taken from some resources then analysed based on the language
and words, phrases
used. The analysis of the data are
from the writer’s point of view
including the vocabulary.
Keywords: mayday,
language, insights,
Introduction
There are at least nine types of distress
conditions known in marine insustry, i.e., fire, explosion, sinking, grounding,
disabled/adrift, armed attacks/piracy, person overboard, and undesignated
distress.
Mayday is an emergency procedure word used
internationally as a distresss signal in voice procedure radio communication.
It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency primarily by mariners and
aviators. The call is always given three times in a row (“ Mayday Mayday
Mayday”) to prevent mistaking it for similar –sounding phrase under noisy
conditions, and to distinguish an actual Mayday call from a message about a
Mayday call.
Mayday relay call is made by one vessel on
behalf of a different vessel which is in distress to warn all vessels in the
viccinity of the existence of the mayday station. If a vessel makes a Mayday
call and is not acknowledged by the coast guard after a single repetition and a
two-minute wait, then a vessel receiving the Mayday call should attempt to contact the
coastguard on behalf of the Mayday vessel by broadcasting a Mayday relay.
A Mayday relay should use the call sign of the transmitting vessel but give the name
and position of the Mayday vessel.
Mayday relay calls can be used to summon
help for a vessel which is either too
far offshore to contact the coastguard directly or without radio capabilities
(though most vessels above a certain size or crew complement are legally
required to carry two-way radio equipment, which could have potentially been
damaged or destroyed).
Other urgent calls
Mayday is one of a
number of words used internationally as radio Code Words to
signal important information. Senders of urgency calls are entitled to
interrupt messages of lower priority. As with Mayday the use of these terms
without proper cause could render the user liable to civil and/or criminal
charges.Each of these urgency calls is usually spoken three
times; e.g., "Pan-pan, Pan-pan, Pan-pan."
Mayday relay
A
Mayday relay call is made by one vessel on behalf of a different vessel
which is in distress. If a vessel makes a Mayday call and it isnot acknowledged
by the coastguard after a single repetition and a two-minute wait, then a
vessel receiving the Mayday call should attempt to contact the coastguard on
behalf of the Mayday vessel by broadcasting a Mayday relay.
A
Mayday relay call should use the callsign of the transmitting vessel but give
the name and position of the Mayday vessel.
Mayday
relay calls can be used to summon help for a vessel which is either too far
offshore to contact the coastguard directly or without radio capabilities
(though most vessels above a certain size or crew complement are legally
required to carry two-way radio equipment, which could have potentially been
damaged or destroyed).
Pan-pan
We
use Pan-pan –
a breakdown) to show an urgent situation of a lower order than a "grave
and imminent threat requiring immediate assistance", such as a mechanical
breakdown or a medical problem. The suffix medico used to be
added by vessels in UK waters to indicate a medical problem (Pan-Pan medico,
repeated three times), or by aircraft declaring a non-life-threatening medical
emergency of a passenger in flight, or those operating as protected medical
transport in accordance with the Geneva Conventions. "Pan-pan
medico" is no longer in official use.
Utopia: Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Artic Thunder. This
is Utopia. You are running into
danger. Shallow water
ahead of you. Over.
Declaring emergency
Sometimes
the phrase "declaring emergency" is used in aviation. This is the
same as calling "Mayday". For example Swissair
Flight 111 radioed "Swissair one eleven heavy is
declaring emergency" on discovering their situation.
Securite
Securite (pron.: /seɪˈkjʊərɨteɪ/; from
French sécurité — safety) indicates a message about safety,
such as a hazard to navigation or weather information.
Utopia: Securite,
Securite, Securite. All ships. This is Utopia. Mine sighted in position 53’ 00’
North 3’ 00’ North 3’ 02’ East. Out.
Securite
Portcastle Radio
Securite, Securite, Securite. Attention all
vessels. This is Portcastle Radio. A warning of gales was issued at 0600
Greenwich Mean Time. South-westerly gales imminent in sea areas Portcastle and
Gull backing southerly and increasingly to force 9. Decreasing to force 7
within the next 12 hours. Navigation warning. Radio beacon service Whirlpool
Rocks has been discontinued.
Silence
The following calls may
be made only by the vessel in distress or the responding authority:
Seelonce Mayday or Seelonce
Distress means that the channel may only be used by the vessel in
distress and the coastguard (and any other vessels they ask for assistance in
handling the emergency). The channel may not be used for
normal working traffic until 'seelonce feenee' is broadcast.
The expressions Stop
Transmitting — Distress and Stop Transmitting —
Mayday are the aeronautical equivalents of Seelonce Mayday.
Seelonce Feenee (French: silence
fini — silence finished) means that the emergency situation has been
concluded and the channel may now be used normally. The word prudonce (prudence caution)
can also be used to allow restricted working to resume on that channel.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayday)
Language of Distress
Distress messages can be grouped under 9 distress
messages: (1) fire, explosion, v(2) disabled/adrift, (3) armed attack/piracy, (4)
undesignated stress, (5) flooding, (6) collision, (7) grounding, (8) list,
danger of capsizing, and (9) abandoning vessel. The following are some phrases
used nomarly used in distress communications including possible responses. See
related phrases used at http://www.allhandsondeck.com.
Dialog 1
The
dialog data are taken from the book
called Wavelength (Finder, 1983). The dialog is
regarding Mayday in French meaning “come help me
involves several parties, Newharbour
Radio Utopia, Utopia Pilot, Newharbour Radio, Newharbour Pilot Station, South Point
Radio, Utopia Captain and Iolande.
Newharbour
Radio Utopia. This is
Newharbour. Fairway is clear.
Utopia
Pilot Newharbour.
This is Utopia. I am heaving up anchor. May I proceed? Over.
Newharbour
Radio Newharbour. This is
Newharbour. You may proceed. Over.
Utopia
Pilot Newharbour.
This is Utopia. Is there any other traffic?
Newharbour
Radio Utopia.
Vessel Nonsuch inward in position Northend Pier. Vessel Zoologist outward in
position No. 3 buoy. Fairway speed is eight knots. Do not overtake. Over.
Utopia
Pilot Newharbour. This is
Utopia. I will proceed.
Utopia now
proceeds seawards through the Lees Channel.
Utopia Newharbour
Pilot Station. This is Utopia. Over.
Newharbour Pilot
Station Utopia. This is Newharbour
Pilot. Change to Channel 9.
Utopia
Newharbour
Pilot. This is Utopia. Changing to Channel 9. Newharbour Pilot. Is the pilot
boat on station? Over.
Newharbour
Pilot Station Utopia. Yes. Pilot
boat is on station. Pilot boat is approaching your vessel. You must rig pilot
ladder on port side.
Utopia
Newharbour
Pilot. This is Utopia. Pilot ladder is rigged on port side.
The pilot leaves
Utopia. Later in the day following message is heard.
Soutth
Point Radio Mayday relay.
Mayday relay. Mayday relay. All vessels. This is South point Radio. Following
received from yacth Iolande. I need help. I am sinking. My position is 160
degrees four miles from Barwater
Pier.
Utopia
Captain South
Point. This is Utopia. What is the position of vessel in distress? Say again.
Over.
South
Point Radio Utopia. This
is South point. 160 degrees six miles from Barwater Pier. Correction: 160’ four
miles from Barwater Pier. Over.
Utopia
Captain Iolande,
Iolande. This is Utopia. Utopia. Over.
Iolande
Utopia.
This is Iolande. Over.
Utopia
Captain Iolande. I
read you with signal strength one....... Advise try Channel 6. Over.
Iolande
(Here
Iolande speaks a Polynesian language)
Utopia
Captain Iolande. I
cannot understand your language. Please use the Standard Marine Communication
Pharases.. I am coming to your assistance. I expect to reach you at 1900 hours
zone time. Out.
Utopia
Captain South
Point. This is Utopia. I have sighted Iolande. I am in position 162 degrees four
miles from Barwater Pier. Over.
South
Point Radio Utopia. This
is South Point. Please take command of search and rescue. Out.
Utopia South
Point. This is Utopia. I am in command of search and rescue. Out.
Utopia Iolande. Is
it safe to fire a rocket? Over.
Iolande
Utopia.
This is Iolande. It is not safe to fire a rocket. Please send me a boat. Make a
lee for me. Over.
South
Point Radio Attention.
Attention. All vessels. This is South point Radio. Vessels are advised to keep
clear of sea area Quake sands. Search and rescue in operation 160 degrees four
miles from Barwater Pier.
Utopia Iolande. I
will make a lee for you. I am sending a boat to you.
Language Notes
There
are some language notes based on the dialog which are very important for the lecturers
and
students to look at such as the following:
The Simple
Present Tense with to be (is, are, are) used as a verb in sentences as shown in
the following sentences.
This
is Newharbour.
Fairway
is clear.
This
is Utopia.
Is there any other
traffic? Fairway speed is eight
knots.
This
is Newharbour Pilot.
Is the pilot boat
on station?
Pilot
boat is on station.
This
is South point Radio.
My
position is 160 degrees four miles from Barwater Pier.
What
is the position of vessel in
distress?
I
am in position 162 degrees four
miles from Barwater Pier.
I
am in command of search and rescue.
Is it safe to fire
a rocket? It is not safe to fire a
rocket.
The Simple
Present tense with verbs
I
read you with signal strength one....... Advise try Channel 6. Over.
I
expect to reach you at 1900 hours zone time. Out.
The Present
Continuous Tense (used
to shown an activity which is going on or is going to happen such as shown in
the following sentences.)
I
am heaving up anchor.
Pilot
boat is approaching your vessel.
I
am sinking.
I
am coming to your assistance.
I
am sending a boat to you.
The
Present Perfect Tense (used to denote an activity which has already
happened or
taken place.)
I have sighted Iolande. I am in position
162’ four miles from Barwater Pier.
Modals (may, will, must
and can). May used to ask for permission, will for spotaneous intention, must
used for obligation, can used for ability.
May
I proceeed? You may proceed.
I
will proceed.
You
must rig pilot ladder on port side.
I
cannot understand your language
Yes/No Questions
used
to ask for information. Is there any....? May I....? Is it safe to....? Is the pilot boat on .......?
Is
there any other traffic?
May
I proceed?
Is
it safe to fire a rocket?
Is
the pilot boat on station?
Imperatives (used to express
instruction, advice and order such as in the following sentences.)
Do not overtake. Change to Channel 9.
Please
use the Standard Marine Communication Pharases
Advise
try Channel 6.
Please
take command of search and rescue.
Please
send me a boat.
Make
a lee for me.
Say
again
Active Voice
I
read you with signal strength one.......
Iolande
speaks a Polynesian language)
I
am heaving up anchor. May I proceed? Over.
You
must rig pilot ladder on port side.
I
need help.
Please
use the Standard Marine Communication Pharases.
I
expect to reach you at 1900 hours zone time. Out.
I have sighted Iolande.
I
am sending a boat to you.
Passive Voice
Pilot
ladder is rigged on port side.
Following
received from yacth Iolande.
Vessels
are advised to keep clear of sea area Quake sands
Wh’s information
question used to ask for information
What
is the position of vessel in distress? Say again.
Dialog
2
Estonia Mayday
Mayday Estonia please (unclear)
Mariella Estonia Estonia, Mariella
Mariella Estonia Estonia,
Marriella. Over
Estonia Europa,
Estonia, Silja Europa, Estonia
Silja Eropa Estonia Estonia, this is Silja Europa
replying on channel 16
Estonia Silja Europa
Silja Europa Estonia Estonia,
this Silja Erupa on channel 16
Estonia Silja Europa, Viking, Estonia
Marriela Estonia Estonia,
Estonia
Estonia Mayday Mayday
Estonia Silja Europa, Estonia
Silja Europa Estonia Estonia,
Silja Europa. Are you calling Mayday?
Silja Europa, Estonia Estonia,
what’s going on? Can you reply?
Estonia This
is Estonia. Who is there? Silja Europa, Estonia. (Now the 3rd Officer Andres
Tammes has taken over) Andres
Tammes are the above-mentioned: "This is Estonia. Who is there?"
Silja Eropa Estonia Yes,
Estonia this Silja Europa
Estonia Silja Europa Good morning, Do you speak Finnish?
Silja Europa Estonia Yes, I speak Finnish.
Estonia Silja E Yes, we have a problem here now, a bad list to the right side. I believe
that it is twenty, thirty degrees. Could you come to our assistance and also
ask Viking Line to come to our assistance?
Silja Europa Estonia Yes, Viking Line is just behind us
and they surely got the information. Can you give your position?
Estonia Silja E ...(unclear)... we have blackout, we cannot get it now. I cannot say it.
Silja
Europa Estonia Okay, understood, we'll take measures.
Marriela Silja
Europa, Mariella
Silja Europa Marriella Yes
Europa here, Mariella ... Mariella this is Europa 16.
Marriela Silja
Europa Did you determine their
position, is it they who are here on our
port side?
Silja Europa Marriella No,
I didn't get any position from them, but they must be here
in the neigh-bourhood, they have
20-30 degrees starboard list and blackout.
Marriela Silja
Europa I think that they are here on
our port side approximately 45
degrees.
Silja Europa Marriella Okay,
yes, I am just waking up the skipper.
Estonia Silja
Europa, Estonia
Silja Europa Estonia Estonia, Silja Europa
Estonia Silja
Europa, Estonia
Estonia Silja Europa Are you
coming to assistance?
Silja Europa Estonia Yes,
we are. Can you tell me if you have an exact position?
Estonia Silja Europa I
cannot say because we have blackout here.
Silja Europa Estonia Yes,
can you see us?
Estonia Silja Europa Yes,
I can hear you. Yes, I can hear you.
Silja Europa Estonia Okay,
we will start to determine your position here now. Just a
moment.
Silja Europa Estonia Yes,
of course we will come to your assistance, but now we
have to determine
your position.
Marriella Helsinki
Radio, Helsinki Radio ... calling on channel 16 ...
Helsinki
Silja Europa Mariella,
Silja Europa
Marriella Silja Europa Yes, this is Mariella
Silja
Europa Mariella Yes, have you any visual contact at all with Estonia?
Marriella Silja Europa No
Silja
Europa Mariella We must start and try to find her some-where, it is a bit difficult
to say as
they didn't give any position.
Estonia Silja
Europa, Estonia
Silja Europa Estonia Yes, Estonia, Silja Europa
Estonia Silja Europa I'll tell you our position now.
Silja Europa Estonia Yes,
go ahead.
Estonia Silja Europa 58 latitude, just a
moment ... 22 degrees
Silja Europa Estonia 59.22
minutes and longitude?.
Estonia Silja Europa 21.40 East.
Silja Europa Estonia 21.40
East, okay.
Estonia Silja Europa Really bad, it
looks really bad here now.
Silja Europa Estonia Yes,
looks bad. We are on our way and it was 21.40.
Estonia Silja Europa ....you said
(unclear)
Silja Europa Estonia 48,
okay.
Source:
http://www.estoniaferrydisaster.net/estonia%20final%20report/chapter22.htm
Language
Notes
The Present
Continuous Tense
Estonia, this is Silja Europa replying on channel 16
Are you calling Mayday?
Estonia, what’s going on? Can you reply?
Okay, yes, I
am just waking up the skipper.
Are you coming to assistance?
The Simple Present Tense with to be
I believe that it is twenty, thirty degrees.
Estonia, this is Silja Erupa on channel 16
This is Estonia. Who is there?
Yes, Viking Line is just behind us and they surely got the information.
Mariella
this is Europa 16.
I think that
they are here on our port side approximately 45 degrees.
Yes, this is Mariella
We are on
our way and it was 21.40.
The Simple Past Tense
Did you
determine their position, is it they who are here on our port side ?
No, I didn't
get any position from them, but they must be here in the neigh-bourhood, they
have 20-30
degrees starboard list and blackout.
.....and
they surely got the information.
....you said (unclear)
Yes, Viking Line is just behind us and they surely got the information. Can
you give your
position?
Modals: can, could, will, must
Could you come to our assistance and also ask
Viking Line to come to our assistance?
....and they surely got the information. Can you give your position?
Yes, we are.
Can you tell me if you have an exact position?
I cannot say because we have blackout here.
Yes, can you see us?
Yes, I can hear you. Yes, I can hear you.
Okay, we
will start to determine your position here now. Just a moment.
Yes, of
course we will come to your assistance, but now we have to determine your
position
Yes, we are.
Can you tell me if you have an exact position?
I cannot say because we have blackout here.
Yes, can you see us?
Yes, I can hear you. Yes, I can hear you.
Okay, we
will start to determine your position here now. Just a moment.
We must
start and try to find her some-where, it is a bit difficult to say as they
didn't give any position.
I'll tell you our position now
No, I didn't
get any position from them, but they must be here in the neigh-bourhood, they
have 20-30
degrees starboard list and blackout.
Can you reply?
Could you come to our assistance and also ask
Viking Line to come to our assistance?
Can you give your position?
... we have blackout, we cannot get it now. I
cannot say it.
Okay,
understood, we'll take measures.
Yes, we are.
Can you tell me if you have an exact position?
I cannot say because we have blackout here.
Yes, can you see us?
Yes, I can hear you. Yes, I can hear you.
Okay, we
will start to determine your position here now.
Yes, of
course we will come to your assistance, but now we have to determine your
position.
We must
start and try to find her some-where, it is a bit difficult to say as they
didn't give any position.
I'll tell you our position now.
Dialog 3
Situation: This is a Mayday call from a
doomed sinking fishing boat in Alaska Waters where
four persons on board.
Northern
Belle Mayday Mayday
Mayday. This is the Northern Belle.
Northern
Belle Mayday
Mayday. This is the Northern Belle. We are 59 degrees. 10 minutes North. 146-47
degrees West.
Coat
Guard Roger. I
understand that the vessel name is Northern Belle. Break. Break. Vessel
Northern Belle. This is the US Coast Guard. Kodiak Alaska, Communication
Station 4125. Over.
Northern
Belle Yes, Coast
Guard, Northern Belle. Go ahead.
Coast
Guard Vessel
Northern Belle, this is Comms Station Kodiak, request to know if you are in
need of assistance. Over.
Northern
Belle Absolutely....we
are going down...
Coast
Guard Vessel
Northern Belle, this is Comms Station Kodiak. Roger. Understand you are going
down. Request to know persons onboard.
Northern
Belle We have four
persons onboard. We are getting in.. We are getting in a life raft. We are
going down.
Source:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RECXv40TwAE
Language Notes
Simple Present
Tense
This
is the Northern Belle.
This
is the Northern Belle. We are 59 degrees. 10 minutes North. 146-47 degrees
West.
I
understand that the vessel name is Northern Belle
This
is the US Coast Guard. Kodiak Alaska, Communication Station 4125. Over.
Vessel
Northern Belle, this is Comms Station Kodiak, (We) request to know if you are
in
need
of assistance. .
(We)
Understand you are going down. Request to know persons onboard.
Present
Continuous Tense
Absolutely....we are going down...
Understand
you are going down. Request to know persons onboard.
We
have four persons onboard. We are getting in.. We are getting in a life raft.
We are going
down.
Dialog 4
Sailboat Spinaker:
Mayday Mayday. This is Saiboat Spinaker,
Spinaker, Spinaker.
My call sign/or MMSI is.... Mayday.
This
is Spinaker, my call sign is S5 Lima 12 and my MMSI is..... Position 45’ 35’ North, 32 ‘ East at 0545
UTC.
The
Mast has broken and the engine is not strong enough to prevent us from grounding on a rocky shore.
Assistance
required.
5
persons on board and due to strong winds we can only remain on board for
applying two zero minutes. Over.
Language Notes
Simple Present
This is Sailboat Spinaker, Spinaker,
Spinaker.
My call sign/or MMSI is....
This
is Spinaker, my call sign is S5 Lima 12 and my MMSI is.....
Present Perfect
Tense
The
Mast has broken and the engine is not strong enough to prevent us from grounding on a rocky shore.
Passive Voice
(ommission of verb to be (is)
Assistance
required.
Dialog 5
Situation: An
explosion in the engine room
Seafarer 1 There’s
been an explosion in the engine room. Quick! There’s a fire!
Seafarer 2 Call the Captain!
Seafarer
1 Engine room to bridge! Emergency!
Emergency! Explosion in the engine
room!
Captain Captain speaking. What’s the
damage?
Seafarer 1 It’s bad. Sir-there’s fire and a lot of
smoke!
Captain Can you contain the fire?
Seafarer 1 I don’t think so. Sir-it’s out of
control.
Captain Get everyone out now! Do not attempt to
extinguish the fire! Repeat!
Do no attempt to extinguish the
fire! Sound the alarms immediately!
Seafarer1Yes, Sir!
Loudspeaker Attention! Attention! This is your Captain
speaking. Fire in the engine
room! This is an
emergency! Proceed to your muster station immediately!
Loudspeaker Attention! Attention! Fire is spreading. Proceed to
your muster station
immediately!
Louspeaker Attention! Attention! Fire is spreading. Prepare to
abandon ship! Prepare to
abandon ship!
Language Notes
The Present Perfect Tense
There’s been an explosion in the
engine room.
The Simple Present Tense with the verb to be
There’s a fire!
What’s the
damage?
It’s bad.
Sir-there’s
fire and a lot of smoke!
Sir-it’s out
of control.
This
is your Captain speaking.
This
is an emergency!
(This is) Engine
room to bridge!
(There was) Explosion
in the engine room!
The Simple
Present Tense
I
don’t think so. Sir-it’s out
of control.
The Simple Present Continous Tense
This
is your Captain speaking. Fire in the engine room!
Fire is
spreading.
Imperatives
Quick!
Call the
Captain!
Get everyone
out now! Do not attempt to extinguish the fire!
Do no attempt
to extinguish the fire! Sound the alarms
immediately.
Proceed
to your muster station immediately!
Prepare to abandon ship!
Dialog 6
Gargantua
Pilot: Newharbour. This is
Gargantua. I am aground.
Newharbour
Gargantua. This is
Newharbour. Your message understood. Out.
Newharbour
Attention all vessels. This
is Newharbour Radio. Vessel Gargantua is aground in position 180’ one cable
from Fish Haven number one buoy. Navigation is closed in area one mile
upstream, one mile downstream Fish Haven.
(Three ships all
start talking at the same time...)
Newharbour Attention. Attention. This is
Newharbour Radio. You must keep radio silence in this area on channel 16’
unless you have messages about the casuality.
(Pause)
Utopia.
This is Newharbour. Over.
Utopia
Pilot Newharbour, this is
Utopia. Over.
Newharbour Utopia. It is dangerous to
approach Gargantua. You must anchor. Anchor position one mile upstream from
Fish Haven has been allocated to you. Anchor North of the fairway.
Utopia Newharbour, this is
Utopia. I will anchor. Out.
Newharbour Gargantua, this is Newharbour. I
will send more tugs at once. You must move as soon as possible. You are obstructing
other traffic.
Utopia
anchors while tugs come to help Gargantua. Gradually the tide rises ans soon
Gargantua floats free, completes her manoeuvre with the help of the tugs, and
is standing by, in the fairway.
Gargantua
Pilot Newharbour, this is
Gargantua. Assistance is no longer required.
Newharbour Gargantua, say again.
Gargantua Newharbour, this is
Gargantua. Assistance is longer required. Is there sufficient depth of water
for me to proceed to berth now? Over.
Newharbour Gargantua. This is Newharbour.
Yes, there is sufficient depth of water.
Newharbour Attention all vessels. Gargantua
now now clear of fair. You may proceed.
Assistance
Utopia Newharbour Radio. This
is Utopia. I am aground near No. 1 buoy. I require tug assistance.
Utopia Newharbour Radio. This
is Utopia. I have engine failrure. I am drifting towards South Shoal. I require
tug assistance.
Utopia All ships. This is Utopia.
Ihave engine failure. I am drifting
towards South Shoal. I require immediate assistance.
Utopia Pan. Pan. This is
Utopia. I have engine failure. I am drifting towards South Shoal. My position
is two miles 220’ from South Shoal Light. I require immediate assistance.
Utopia Mayday. Mayday. This is
Utopia. I need help. I am aground on South Shoal. I require immediate assistance.
Language Notes
The Simple
Present Tense with the verb to be
This
is Gargantua. I am aground.
Gargantua.
This is Newharbour.
This
is Newharbour Radio.
Vessel
Gargantua is aground in position 180’ one cable from Fish Haven number one
buoy. Navigation is closed in area one mile upstream, one mile downstream Fish
Haven.
This
is Newharbour Radio.
This
is Newharbour.
Newharbour,
this is Utopia.
Over.
It is dangerous to approach Gargantua.
Newharbour,
this is Utopia.
I
will anchor.
Gargantua,
this is Newharbour.
You
are onstructing other traffic.
Newharbour,
this is Gargantua.
Assistance
is no longer required.
Newharbour,
this is Gargantua.
Assistance
is longer required.
Is
there sufficient depth of water for me to proceed to berth now?
This
is Newharbour.
Yes,
there is sufficient depth of water.
Modals (must,
will, may)
must
You
must keep radio silence in this area on channel 16’ unless you have messages
about the
casuality.
You must anchor. Anchor position one mile upstream from Fish Haven has been
allocated
to you. Anchor North of the fairway. You must move as soon as possible.
will
I
will anchor.
I
will send more tugs at once. You must move as soon as possible. You are
onstructing other
traffic.
may
You
may proceed.
Passive Voice
Your
message understood.
Navigation
is closed in area one mile upstream, one mile downstream Fish Haven.
Haven
has been allocated to you. Anchor North of the fairway.
Assistance
is no longer required.
Dialog 7
Valhalla Mayday.
Mayday. Mayday. This is Valhalla. I need help. I have struck an unknown object.
I am on fire and am leaking inflammable cargo. Over.
St.
Nicholas S.I.S Valhalla.
Valhalla. This is St. Nicholas Strait Information Service. What is your
position? Over.
Valhalla St. Nicholas
Strait Information Service. This is Valhalla. My position is 220’ 5 cables from
Bligh Bank buoy.
St.
Nicholas S.I.S. Valhalla.
This is St Nicholas Strait Information Service. Lifeboat and tugs are coming to
your assistance. Over.
(But
before assistance can arrive Valhalla sends the following reportJ
(X)
Valhalla St.
Nicholas Strait Information Service. This is Vahalla. Fire is under control.
Lifeboat is no longer required.
(Y)
St. Nicholas S.I.S: This is St.
Nicholas Strait Information Service. Valhalla. Do you require tugs?
Valhalla:
St.
Nicholas Strait Information Service. This is Valhalla. Yes, I require tugs. My
steering gear is damaged.
Language Notes
The Simple
Present tense with the verb to be
This
is Valhalla.
I
am on fire and am leaking inflammable cargo.
This
is St. Nicholas Strait Information Service.
What
is your position?
My
position is 220’ 5 cables from Bligh Bank buoy.
Fire
is under control.
The Simple
Present Tense
Do
you require tugs?
Yes,
I require tugs.
The Passive
Voice
Lifeboat
is no longer required.
My
steering gear is damaged.
The Present Perfect
Tense
I
have struck an unknown object.
The Present
Continous Tense
Lifeboat
and tugs are coming to your assistance.
I
am on fire and am leaking inflammable cargo.
Conclusion
Based
on the data
there are several
tenses used
in the dialogs, the Simple Present Tense
with
verb to be (is,
am, are), The Present Continuous Tense, The Present Perfetc Tense,
Modals
can/could, will/would, must, may, Yes/No
Questions, Imperatives, Active Voice,
Passive
Voice, Wh’s information, question used to
ask for information,
Modals: can,
will, Present
Perfect Tense, Passive Voice (ommission of verb to be (is), .
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayday
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