Originally Posted by
Gipsy Queen
More recently, I have logged more than 17,000NM as a yacht owner and held a RYA/DTp Yachtmaster Offshore Certificate with Ocean Endorsement. Regs. appertaining thereto substantially are the same as above.
That is at least 20 years out of date. It used to be the case that mayday was reserved for danger to vessels only, but under SOLAS and UK law (The Merchant Shipping (Distress Signals and Prevention of Collisions) Regulations 1996) distress signals are now reserved for situations where there is grave and imminent danger to either a vessel or human life. In practical terms, this means that there is no reason for not pressing the big red button on the radio as soon as is practical after someone falls over the side. Indeed, 'man overboard' is an internationally recognised class for a designated DSC distress call. It was a sensible amendment in my opinion.