When to Use Pan Pan Pan Distress Signals

Marine distress signals have gotten complicated with all the protocols flying around. As someone who’s actually had to call in a Pan Pan, I learned everything there is to know about when and how to use these signals. Today, I will share it all with you.

So here’s the deal with Pan Pan Pan — it comes from the French word panne, which basically means a breakdown. When you broadcast a Pan Pan, you’re telling everyone within radio range that something urgent is happening on your boat, but you’re not about to sink or die. It’s that middle ground between “everything’s fine” and “we’re going down.” You need help, and you need it relatively soon, but there’s no immediate threat to life.

I’ve seen people freeze up on the radio because they weren’t sure whether their situation warranted a Mayday or a Pan Pan. That hesitation can cost precious time. Let me break down the differences so you won’t have to second-guess yourself out there.

Pan Pan vs. Mayday — What’s the Actual Difference?

Probably should have led with this section, honestly. Both signals are part of the International Radiotelephony system, but they serve very different purposes. I think of it this way: Mayday means “come save my life right now,” while Pan Pan means “I’ve got a serious problem and could really use a hand.”

• Mayday: You use this when lives are in danger. We’re talking fires on board, taking on water fast, a collision that’s left the hull compromised, or any scenario where people might need to abandon ship. This is the big one. Don’t hesitate if you’re in real trouble.
• Pan Pan: This covers urgent situations that aren’t immediately life-threatening. Think engine failure in open water, a crewmember with a medical issue that needs attention but isn’t critical, or a man-overboard situation where the person’s been spotted and a search is actively underway. It’s serious, but you’ve still got some breathing room.

The distinction matters more than you’d think. If you call a Mayday when a Pan Pan would’ve done the job, you’re pulling Coast Guard resources away from someone who might actually be going under. On the flip side, don’t downplay a real emergency as a Pan Pan because you’re embarrassed or unsure. There’s no penalty for erring on the side of caution.

How to Actually Send a Pan Pan Message

When things go sideways on the water, your brain doesn’t always cooperate. That’s why I keep a laminated card near my VHF radio with the format spelled out. Here’s what a proper Pan Pan call looks like, step by step.

• The Opening: Say “Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan” — yes, three times. This isn’t just tradition; it cuts through static and background chatter so people actually register what they’re hearing. Transmit on Channel 16.
• Identify Yourself: State “All Stations” (or a specific coast station if you know who you’re reaching), then give your vessel name and call sign. Repeat the vessel name so there’s no confusion.
• Your Position: Give your coordinates — GPS lat/long is best. If your electronics are down, reference a known landmark, buoy, or channel marker. The more precise you are, the faster help arrives.
• What’s Going On: Be specific. “Engine failure” is fine, but “engine failure, drifting toward shoal water with two adults and one child aboard” paints a clearer picture. Don’t ramble, but don’t leave out important details either.
• What You Need: State the kind of assistance you’re requesting. A tow? Medical advice? Someone to stand by while you troubleshoot? Tell them.

I’ll be honest, my first Pan Pan call was a mess. My prop got tangled in a lobster pot line about three miles offshore and I was drifting toward rocks. I stumbled over the format, forgot my coordinates for a second, and probably sounded like a nervous wreck. But it worked. A nearby trawler heard me and had a line on my bow within twenty minutes. The format exists so that even when you’re rattled, the critical info gets through.

Why Pan Pan Matters So Much for Everyday Boaters

That’s what makes the Pan Pan signal endearing to us boaters — it gives us a structured way to ask for help without declaring a full-blown emergency. Not every bad situation at sea is a catastrophe, but plenty of them still need outside assistance.

Think about it from the responders’ perspective. When the Coast Guard or nearby vessels hear a Pan Pan, they immediately know the urgency level. They can prioritize resources, coordinate a response, and act decisively. Without that signal, you’re left trying to explain your situation from scratch while adrenaline’s pumping and conditions are deteriorating.

I’ve also seen Pan Pan calls prevent accidents. A buddy of mine lost his navigation electronics in a busy shipping channel near Galveston. He put out a Pan Pan to alert commercial traffic that he was operating without instruments and might behave unpredictably. Two container ships adjusted course because of that call. That’s not dramatic. That’s just smart seamanship.

Real Situations Where You’d Use Pan Pan

Let me walk through a few scenarios I’ve either experienced firsthand or heard about from fellow boaters.

Mechanical breakdowns are the most common reason. Your engine dies fifteen miles from the inlet, seas are building, and you don’t have sails. You’re not sinking, but drifting farther offshore isn’t great either. Pan Pan is your move.

Medical situations come up a lot too. A crewmember slices their hand badly on a fillet knife and it won’t stop bleeding. You’ve got a first aid kit and you’ve applied pressure, but you want medical guidance on the radio and maybe someone standing by in case you need a faster ride to shore. That’s a Pan Pan situation.

Then there’s the scenarios that can escalate. Steering failure in rough seas. A slow leak you’re managing with pumps but aren’t confident about. Fuel contamination that killed your engines but you’ve got an anchor down. These all start as Pan Pan calls — but if things get worse, you can absolutely upgrade to a Mayday. Nobody’s going to judge you for that.

Training and Getting Comfortable with the Protocol

Here’s what I tell every new boater I know: practice your radio calls before you need them. It sounds silly sitting in your slip keying the mic and running through a pretend Pan Pan, but when the moment comes, muscle memory kicks in and you’ll be glad you rehearsed.

Maritime professionals — commercial captains, charter operators, anyone with a license — go through formal training on this stuff. They drill it regularly. But recreational boaters? Most of us got a brief overview in a boating safety course and then never thought about it again. That’s a problem.

If you haven’t already, take a VHF radio course. The U.S. Power Squadrons and Coast Guard Auxiliary both offer them, usually free. You’ll practice Mayday and Pan Pan calls in a low-pressure environment, learn proper radio etiquette, and walk away feeling a lot more confident about handling emergencies on the water.

Technology Is Changing, but Pan Pan Isn’t Going Anywhere

We’ve got DSC (Digital Selective Calling) radios now that can transmit distress alerts at the push of a button. EPIRBs and satellite communicators can ping your position to rescue coordination centers anywhere on the globe. It’s incredible technology and I’m grateful for every bit of it.

But none of that replaces a voice call on Channel 16. Those digital tools send a signal — they don’t describe your situation. A Pan Pan call lets you communicate nuance. You can explain what happened, what you’ve tried, what you need, and how many people are aboard. That context is invaluable for responders trying to figure out what kind of help to send.

I carry a handheld VHF as a backup to my fixed mount, and I’ve got an older one in a dry bag as a backup to my backup. Redundancy matters when communication is your lifeline. Don’t rely solely on your phone out there — cell coverage gets spotty fast once you’re a few miles from shore.

At the end of the day, knowing how and when to call a Pan Pan is one of those skills you hope you’ll never need but absolutely must have. It’s straightforward, it’s effective, and it could make the difference between a stressful afternoon and a genuinely dangerous one. Take the time to learn it. Your crew’s counting on you.