Mayday

File:MV Summit Venture Mayday Call.flac File:MV Summit Venture Mayday Call NR.ogg Mayday is an emergency procedure word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications. It is used to signal a life-threatening emergency primarily by aviation and maritime professionals, although it can also be used in other emergency contexts. The term "Mayday" originates from the French phrase "m'aidez" or "venez m'aider", which means "help me" or "come help me", respectively.

Origins and Usage

The term was coined in 1923 by Frederick Stanley Mockford, a senior radio officer at Croydon Airport in London. He was asked to think of a word that would indicate distress and would easily be understood by all pilots and ground staff in an emergency. At the time, much of the traffic he dealt with was between Croydon and Le Bourget Airport in Paris, hence the adoption of a word that was easy to understand for both English and French speakers.

Mayday is pronounced as the French "m'aidez", and it is spelled out as M-A-Y-D-A-Y. This distress call is given three times in a row ("Mayday Mayday Mayday") to prevent its being mistaken for a similar-sounding phrase under noisy conditions, and to distinguish it from other kinds of calls.

Protocol

When broadcasting a Mayday call, the caller is expected to follow a specific protocol to convey critical information as efficiently as possible. The protocol includes the repetition of the word "Mayday", the name of the station being called, the nature of the emergency, the kind of assistance needed, the position of the caller, and any other information that might facilitate rescue efforts, such as the number of people in danger or the vessel's or aircraft's condition.

Legal Implications

The use of the Mayday signal, while regulated by international law, specifically the International Convention for the Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is reserved for situations where grave and imminent danger requires immediate assistance. Misuse of the Mayday signal can lead to legal penalties, as it could potentially divert emergency response resources away from legitimate emergencies.

In Popular Culture

The term "Mayday" has permeated popular culture, often used in movies, television shows, and books to depict moments of high drama where characters are in dire need of rescue. Its dramatic impact is well recognized, though this has also led to its occasional misuse in non-emergency contexts within these fictional narratives.

See Also

• SOS
• Pan-pan
• Emergency position-indicating radiobeacon station (EPIRB)
• Distress signal
• International distress frequency

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