pan-pan
A radio call indicating a minor emergency requiring some assistance, or priority in handling, but not endangering the safety of the vessel or those aboard.
pan-pan: the radio call for urgent help that isn't a distress
Pan-pan is a priority radio distress signal, transmitted on VHF Channel 16 or HF marine frequencies, that indicates an urgent situation requiring immediate assistance but not an imminent threat to life. It ranks below the highest-level Mayday call but above routine traffic. A vessel flying pan-pan has a serious problem, engine failure, medical emergency, or structural damage, yet retains enough control and time to seek help through radio coordination rather than launching a full distress protocol.
The term originates from the French word "panne", meaning breakdown or failure. Maritime radio operators adopted the phonetic repetition (pan-pan, spoken three times) to distinguish it clearly from Mayday and other traffic in noisy conditions. This naming convention has been formalized in the International Convention on Safety of Life at Sea (SOLAS) and is used uniformly across commercial shipping, naval, and coast guard operations worldwide.
Practical use and procedure
A master or radio operator initiates pan-pan when facing loss of propulsion, significant hull damage not yet taking on dangerous water, serious injury requiring medical evacuation, or fire that is contained and manageable. The call must include the vessel's name, position, nature of the problem, and assistance required. Nearby vessels and coastal authorities then monitor and respond according to sea state, distance, and available resources. Unlike Mayday, the vessel retains command of the situation and may negotiate with potential helpers or request specific assistance such as towing, medical consultation by radio, or escort to port.
Pan-pan is not a legal declaration of emergency in the way Mayday is; it does not automatically trigger mandatory lifeboat drills or international rescue coordination. However, it carries legal weight: vessels are obliged under international maritime law to respond to a pan-pan call if they are in a position to do so, and to render assistance to the extent safe for their own crew. Misuse, including false pan-pan broadcasts, is a serious offense prosecuted under national maritime law and can result in heavy fines or imprisonment.
The distinction between pan-pan and Mayday is often a judgment call made in real time by the commanding officer. If a situation escalates, a vessel broadcasting pan-pan may escalate to Mayday without repeating the lower-priority call. Conversely, if assistance arrives quickly or the situation stabilizes, pan-pan can be terminated and a follow-up message issued to clear the channel and all listening stations.