What is a Mayday Call?
A Mayday Call is an international distress signal used in aviation and maritime emergencies for communication to indicate a life-threatening emergency. In 1920, in an emergency at Croydon Airport, England, 'Mayday Call' was used for the first time by Frederick Stanley Mockford, who was the charge officer.
What are the features of Mayday Call?
Features of a Mayday Call:
| Aspect | Details |
| Word Used | "Mayday" – repeated three times (“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday”) to avoid confusion. |
| Origin | Derived from the French term "m’aidez" meaning “help me.” |
| Purpose | To signal grave and imminent danger (e.g., engine failure, fire, sinking ship, medical emergency). |
| Who Can Use It | Pilots, ship captains, or anyone in immediate danger requiring urgent help. |
| Communication Channels | Usually over radio frequencies (e.g., VHF Channel 16 for maritime or 121.5 MHz for aviation). |
| International Status | Recognised under international regulations by ICAO (aviation) and IMO (maritime). |
How does a MayDay call work?
In a life-threatening emergency, when the pilot declares “Mayday” three times (Mayday, MayDay, Mayday), it means:
- There is a situation of life-threatening, i.e, engine failure, loss of control of the plane, etc
- All others call from other radio stations must be avoided, and the distress call (Mayday Call)
- Air Traffic Control (ATC) must coordinate other responses for communication with the plane.
What does a pilot provide to ATC in the situation of a Mayday call?
When a Mayday is declared by the pilot, he has to provide:
- Aircraft call sign
- The plane's location and altitude
- What kind of emergency is the plane facing?
- How many passengers are travelling
- What types of assistants does he need?
How is a Mayday call different from other distress calls?
Difference from Other Calls:
| Type of Call | Purpose | Phrase Used |
| Mayday | Life-threatening emergency | "Mayday" |
| Pan-Pan | Urgency (not life-threatening) | "Pan-Pan" |
| Securité | Safety information (e.g., weather alert) | "Securité" |
Why is a Mayday call critical?
A Mayday call is used in very critical conditions when there is a life-threatening situation. As the Mayday call triggers a faster response from the ground staff to ensure immediate communications to help or rescue the passengers before the crash.
Conclusion
Mayday is the crucial emergency protocol, which is used for life-saving during critical situations the in aviation emergencies and also in maritime contexts. It ensures a quick and faster response for immediate communication to rescue the passengers.
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