IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) - Part 1

Introduction

Seafarers and shipping industry use Maritime English as a common tool of

communication. The Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) is an important
part of Maritime English.

Crews of different nationalities work on board vessels speak many different

languages. Problems in verbal communication are a danger to the vessel, the people and
the environment. Seafarers need a standard language to communicate with, for
navigation at sea, in port, and on board vessels with multilingual crews. So, the
International Maritime Organization (IMO) proposes the SMCP to assist in the safety of
navigation. Under the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW 78/95) officers must use and understand IMO
SMCP. They are phrases useful for all modern conditions at sea. (Rijeka. 2000)

Objectives

At the end of this topic, the student will be able to:

 differentiate SMCP from general English,

 construct correct responses in accordance to SMCP guidelines, and
 identify the value of the message markers prescribed in the IMO SMCP for safety
purposes while at sea.
 EXERCISE 4.1

NAME:__________________________________________ SECTION:_________________
UNIT 4 TOPIC 1 EXERCISE

Instruction: Look at the Maritime English phrases in the table below. How are they
different from general English? Try to guess their meaning by matching them to their
general English equivalent. Write the letter of your choice in the space provided.

(Maritime English) The officer on board says: General English:

 ____ My ETA is 15:00 UTC. A. I need doctor’s help.

 ____ M/T Trader: Tango Romeo Alfa Delta B. We will arrive at 3 pm.
Echo Romeo.

 ____ REQUEST. I require medical assistance. C. I am leaning to the left side.

 ____ I have a list to port. D. Tanker ship Trader.

T-R-A-D-E-R.
 STUDY: IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) - Part 1

The SMCP is a broad topic for it covers many aspects of seafaring where communication
is highly essential. In fact, it has two parts - the External Communication Phrases and
the On-board Communication Phrases. But in this course we are only going to tap the
general provisions of this particular topic which we divided into three parts. There are
18 general items, but for the part 1 of this topic we are only going to pay attention to the
first four.

General

1. Procedure

When it is necessary to indicate that the SMCP are to be used, the following message
may be sent:

“Please use Standard Marine Communication Phrases.”

“I will use Standard Marine Communication Phrases.”

2. Spelling

Spelling of letters

When spelling is necessary, only the following spelling table should be used:

Letter Code Letter Code

A Alfa N November
B Bravo O Oscar
C Charlie P Papa
D Delta Q Quebec
E Echo R Romeo
F Foxtrot S Sierra
G Golf T Tango
H Hotel U Uniform
I India V Victor
J Juliet W Whisky
K Kilo X X-ray
L Lima Y Yankee
M Mike Z Zulu
Spelling of digits and number

A few digits and numbers have a modified pronunciation compared to general English:

Number Spelling Pronunciation

0 zero ZEERO
1 one WUN
2 two TOO
3 three TREE
4 four FOWER
5 five FIFE
6 six SIX
7 seven SEVEN
8 eight AIT
9 nine NINER
1000 thousand TOUSAND

3. Message Markers

In shore-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication or radio communication in general,

the following eight Message Markers may be used:

(i) Instruction (v) Question

(ii) Advice (vi) Answer
(iii) Warning (vii) Request
(iv) Information (viii) Intention

(i) Instruction - indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender
to influence others by a Regulation. The sender must have the full authority to send such
a message.

Example: “INSTRUCTION. Do not cross the fairway.”

(ii) Advice - indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender to
influence others by a Recommendation. This does not necessarily have to be followed
but should be considered very carefully.

Example: “ADVICE. Stand by on VHF Channel six nine.”

(iii) Warning - indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender
to inform others about danger. The recipient should pay immediate attention to the
danger mentioned.

Example: “WARNING. Obstruction in the fairway.”

(iv) Information - indicates that the following message is restricted to observe facts,
situations, etc. This marker is preferably used for navigational and traffic information,
etc.

Example: “INFORMATION. MV Sumo will overtake to the west of you.”

(v) Question - indicates that the following message is of interrogative character. This
marker removes any doubt on whether a question is being asked or statement being
made. The recipient is expected to return an answer.

Example: “QUESTION. What is your present course and speed?”

“QUESTION. Your present course and speed?”

(vi) Answer - indicates that the following message is the reply to a previous question.
The answer should not contain another question.

Example: “ANSWER. My present course is one eight zero degrees and speed one two
knots. Over.”

(vii) Request - indicates that the following message is asking for action from others with
respect to the vessel. This marker signals “I want something to be arranged or
provided,” and must not be used involving navigation, or to modify COLREGS.

Example: “REQUEST. I require two tugs.”

(viii) Intention - indicates that the following message informs others about immediate
navigational action intended to be taken. This message marker is restricted to massages
announcing navigational actions by the vessel sending this message.

Example: “INTENTION. I will reduce my speed.”

4. Responses

When the answer to a question is in the affirmative, say:

"Yes, .... " - followed by the appropriate phrase in full.

Example: “QUESTION. Do you require navigational assistance?”

“ANSWER. Yes, I require navigational assistance.”

When the answer to a question is in the negative, say:

"No, ..." - followed by the appropriate phrase in full.

When the information requested is not immediately available, say:

"Stand by" - followed by the time interval within which the information will be
available.

When the information requested cannot be obtained, say:

"No information." (yet)

When an INSTRUCTION (e.g. by a VTS-Station, Naval vessel or other fully authorized

personnel) or an ADVICE is given, respond if in the affirmative:
"I will/can ... " - followed by the instruction or advice in full; and,

if in the negative, respond:

"I will not/cannot ... " - followed by the instruction or advice in full.

Example: "ADVICE. Do not overtake the vessel North of you."

Respond: "I will not overtake the vessel North of me."

Responses to orders and answers to questions of special importance both in external

and onboard communication are given in wording in the phrases concerned.

-end of part 1
 QUIZ 4.1

NAME:_____________________________________________SECTION:_______________
UNIT 4 TOPIC 1 QUIZ (20 Points)

Instruction: Assume that you are giving your vessel’s information to

someone over the radio/phone. Deliver the information using SMCP to make sure it will
be received accurately. Write your answer in the box next to the ‘vessel’s information.’
The spelling should be based on how you are going to say them. (6 points)

e.g. Vessel’s Information: You say:

MMSI: 257689000 This is two-five-seven-six-eight-niner-zero-zero -zero,

Vessel’s name: ANTARES Motor Vessel “ANTARES” Alfa November Tango Alfa
Call Sign: LAPW5 Romeo Echo Sierra,
Call Sign Lima Alfa Papa Whiskey Five

Vessel’s Information: You say:

MMSI: 440983011

Vessel’s Name: ADOUR

Call Sign: DSON60

MMSI: 326184099

Vessel’s Name: SARAWAT

Call Sign: NSAC47

 Instruction: Complete the message by adding the correct message marker in
the given statement. Choose your answer from the table below and write/type it in the
given blank space. No repetition of answer. (8 points)

1. _______________. Do you require military assistance?

2. _______________. You are running into danger.
3. _______________. I will enter the fairway.
4. _______________. Yes, I require military assistance.
5. _______________. You are entering a restricted area.
6. _______________. Reduce your speed to three knots.
7. _______________. Do not drop the anchor.
8. _______________. MV Marina requires medical assistance.

INSTRUCTION ADVICE WARNING INFORMATION

QUESTION ANSWER REQUEST INTENTION

Instruction: Provide the correct response to the question/message by

writing/typing your answer in the blank. Hints are given in parentheses. (6 points)

1. Do you require a pilot? (answer in affirmative; 5 words)

Response: ________________________________________
2. Is fire under control? (answer in negative; 6 words; no “is”; last word is “yet”)
Response: ________________________________________
3. What caused the engine malfunction? (information requested cannot be obtained; 3
words; last word has 3 letters)
Response: ________________________________________
4. Can you proceed without assistance? (answer in affirmative; 6 words)
Response: ________________________________________
5. ADVICE. Do not change your VHF channel. (you are to follow the advice; 7 words)
Response: ________________________________________
6. Repair damage now. (answer in negative due to lack of resources; 5 words)
Response: ________________________________________