REPÚBLICA BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA

MINISTERIO DEL PODER POPULAR PARA LA DEFENSA

UNIVERSIDAD MILITAR BOLIVARIANA DE VENEZUELA
ACADEMIA MILITAR DE LA ARMADA BOLIVARIANA
ALM. “SEBASTIÁN FRANCISCO DE MIRANDA RODRÍGUEZ”
DEPARTAMENTO DE FORMACIÓN ACADÉMICA
SECCIÓN DE HUMANIDADES
UNIDAD CURRICULAR: IDIOMAS III

IDIOMAS III

PROF. _____________________________

FEBRERO 2023

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MODULO I.- INTERNATIONAL CODE FLAGS

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 THE STANDARD MARINE NAVIGATIONAL VOCABULARY

Normally, crews use the language of the country where they come from to communicate when navigating;
however, when vessels deal with international traffic it is more probable that the crew keeps communications by using
English as a normalized language. The Maritime Security Committee (Comité de Seguridad Marìtima), that belongs to
the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided in 1973 that in order to solve language problems, especially for
navigation, it was convenient to use English as the common language, but having a level of communication and
vocabulary necessary to navigate safely. This is why the IMO created the STANDARD MARINE NAVIGATIONAL
VOCABULARY. The IMO SMNV includes phrases which have been developed to cover the most important safety-
related fields of verbal shore-to-ship (and vice-versa), ship-to-ship and on-board communications. The aim is to get
round the problem of language barriers at sea and avoid misunderstandings which can cause accidents.
This vocabulary has been compiled:
 to assist in the greater safety of navigation and of the conduct of ships.
 to standardize the language used in communication for navigation at sea, in port-approaches, in waterways
and harbors.
In this part of the program, some of the most important aspects of this vocabulary will be studied. You will probably
find some expressions that are not common for you as cadets, but you must remember that what it is presented here
is the “MUST BE”, according to the IMO has established to try to secure navigation.

General
Procedure: when it is necessary to indicate the IMO SMCP are to be used, the following message may be sent:

“Please use IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases”

“I will use IMO SMCP”

MODULO II.- MESSAGE MARKERS

The message marker is the word pronounced before the message to signal and introduce the purpose and content
of the message to be communicated. The message markers are used for external communication. There are eight
message markers:
 QUESTION: indicates that the following message is of interrogative character.
 ANSWER: indicates that the following message is the reply to a previous question.
 REQUEST: indicates that the contents of the following message are asking for action from others with
respect to the ship.
 INFORMATION: indicates that the following message is restricted to observed facts.
 INTENTION: indicates that the following message informs others about immediate navigational actions
intended to be taken.
 WARNING: indicates that the following message informs other traffic participants about dangers.
 ADVICE: indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender to influence the recipient(s)
by a recommendation.
 INSTRUCTION: indicates that the following message implies the intention of the sender to influence the
recipient(s) by a regulation.

In response to the above moves / acts marked by the above phrase markers the responding station uses the
following phrase markers:

MESSAGE MARKER PHRASE MARKER (REPLAY MARKER)

REQUEST REQUEST- RECEIVED
INFORMATION INFORMATION – RECEIVED
ADVICE ADVICE – RECEIVED
INSTRUCTION INSTRUCTION - RECEIVED
WARNING WARNING - RECEIVED
INTENTION INTENTION - RECEIVED

EXAMPLES OF MESSAGE MARKERS

1. QUESTION: Are there any survivors?
2. ANSWER: Yes, there are four survivors.
No, there are not survivors.
I do not know if there are any survivors.
3. REQUEST: I require a tug.
REQUEST- RECEIVED: I send a tug. Stand by for instructions.
4. INFORMATION: The tanker XEROX is next
INFORMATION-RECEIVED: The tanker XEROX is next.
5. INTENTION: I intend to reduce speed. New speed: five knots.
INTENTION- RECEIVED: you intend to reduce speed. New speed: five knots
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 6. WARNING: Buoy number: one-five is unlit.
WARNING-RECEIVED: Buoy number: one-five is unlit.
7. ADVICE: please keep clear of me; REASON: my steering-gear is defective.
ADVICE-RECEIVED: keep clear of you. REASON: your steering-gear is defective.
8. INSTRUCTION: Stop your engines.
INSTRUCTION- RECEIVED: I stop my engines.
NEGATIVE; REASON: the tide is too strong.
EXERCISES
READ THE FOLLOWING MESSAGES AND WRITE THE CORRESPONDING MESSAGE MARKER AT THE
BEGINNING.
1. ___________________ Buoy number two – six is unlit.
2. ____________________ what are my berthing instructions?
3. ____________________ Keep your present course.
4. ___________________ Please provide fire-fighting assistance.
5. ___________________ I expect to be underway within period: two hours.
6. ___________________ Your navigation lights are not visible.
7. ___________________ Go to berth number eight.
8. ___________________ Positive, there are five survivors.
9. ___________________ I intend to alter course to starboard and pass astern of you.
10. __________________ What is your position?
11. __________________ You must alter your course.
12. __________________ My position is: NE of Buoy Number 1.5
13. __________________ you to alter your present course.
14. __________________ Please send a tug.
15.-__________________Please keep clear of me; REASON: My steering –gear is defective.

MODULO III.- MISCELLANEOUS PHRASES

Standard Organizational Phrases

What is your name (and call sign)?
How do you read me?

I read you … With signal strength

(bad/1) (1/barely perceptible)
(poor/2) (2/weak)
(fair/3) (3/fairly good)
(good/4) (4/good)
(excellent/5) (5/very good)

- When it is advisable to remain on a VHF Channel / frequency, say:

"Stand by on VHF Channel ... / frequency ... ".

- When it is accepted to remain on the VHF Channel / frequency indicated, say:

"Standing by on VHF Channel ... / frequency ... ".

- When it is advisable to change to another VHF Channel / frequency, say:

"Advise (you) change to VHF Channel ... / frequency ... ."
"Advise(you) try VHF Channel .. / frequency... .".
- When the changing of a VHF Channel / frequency is accepted, say:
"Changing to VHF Channel ... / frequency ... .".

CORRECTIONS: When a mistake is made in a message, say:

"Mistake ..." followed by the word: "Correction ... " plus the corrected part of the message.
Example: "My present speed is 14 knots - mistake. Correction, my present speed is 12, one-two, knots."

REPETITION: If any part of the message is considered sufficiently important to need safeguarding, say:
"Repeat ... " - followed by the corresponding part of the message.
Examples: "My draft is 12.6 repeat one-two decimal 6 metres."
'You will load 163 repeat 163 tons bunkers'.

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SOME NAUTICAL VERBS

ADVICE ATTEMPT EXPECT INTEND DELIVER

aconsejar ensayar/ probar esperar intentar despachar
REQUIRE SEND SLOW DOWN SUPPLY WRECK
requerir, necesitar enviar Desactivar suministrar naufragar
BAJA VELOCIDAD

STANDARD VERBS
Where possible, sentences should be introduced by one of the following verb forms:

IMPERATIVE
Always to be used when mandatory orders are being given
INDICATIVE NEGATIVE INTERROGATIVE
I require I do not require Do I require?
I have I do not have Do I have?
I can I cannot Can I? Can you?
You may You need not May I? - permission
Advise Advise not Is there?
There is There is not What is/are?
Where is/are?
AMBIGUOUS WORDS
Some words in English have meanings depending on the context in which they appear. Misunderstandings
frequently occur, especially in VTS communications, and have produced accidents. Such words are the conditional
verbs: MAY, MIGHT, SHOULD, and COULD.
MAY
Do not say: May I enter the fairway?
Say: QUESTION: Do I have permission to enter the fairway?
MIGHT
Do not say: I might enter the fairway.
Say: INTENTION: I will enter the fairway.
SHOULD
Do not say: You should anchor in anchorage Bravo-three.
Say: INSTRUCTION: Anchor in anchorage Bravo-three.
COULD
Do not say: You could be running into danger
Say: WARNING: You are running into danger.

MODULO IV.- RESPONSES

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

“Yes or Affirmative “ – followed by the appropriate phrase in full.
When the answer to a question is in the negative, say:
“No or Negative “ – followed by the appropriate phrase in full.
When the information requested is not immediately available but soon will be, say:
“Stand by”.
When the information requested cannot be obtained, say:
“No information”
When the message is not properly heard, say:
“Say again”
When the message is not understood, say:
“Message not understood”

NUMBERS

Numbers are to be spoken digit by digit:

Examples: 25 two-five 150 'One-five-zero'
45,000 four-five-thousand 2,5 Two point five

Spelling of numbers:

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

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 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

POSITION:
When latitude and longitude are used, these shall be expressed in degrees and minutes (and decimals of a minute if
necessary), north or south of the Equator and east or west of Greenwich.
Example: 'There are salvage operations in position 15(one-five) degrees, 34(three-four) minutes North, 61(six-one)
degrees, 29(two-nine) minutes West'.
"Your position bearing 137 degrees from Big Head lighthouse, distance 2.4 nautical miles."

BEARINGS: The bearing of the mark or vessel concerned, is the bearing in the 360 degree notation from north (true
north unless otherwise stated), except in the case of relative bearings. Bearings may be either FROM the mark or
FROM the vessel.
Examples: 'The Pilot Boat is bearing 215° from you'.
'Your bearing is 127° from the signal station'.

COURSES: Always to be expressed in 360 degrees notation from north (true north unless otherwise stated). Whether
this is to TO or FROM a mark can be stated.

DISTANCES: Preferably to be expressed in nautical miles or cables (tenths of a mile) otherwise in kilometers or
meters, the unit always to be stated.
 
SPEED: It must be expressed in knots.

TIMES: Times should be expressed in the 24 hour UTC notation; if local time will be used in ports or harbors it should
clearly be stated.

GEOGRAPHICAL NAMES: Place names used should be those on the chart or in Sailing Directions in use. Should
these not be understood, latitude and longitude should be given.
PROCEDURAL WORDS AND PHRASES

While it is not practical to set down precise phraseology for all radiotelephone procedures, slang expressions such
as "OK", "REPEAT", "TEN-FOUR", "OVER AND OUT", "BREAKER BREAKER","COME IN PLEASE", entre otras,
should not be used.
ACKNOWLEDGE: "Let me know that you have received and understood this message."
GO AHEAD: "Proceed with your message."
OVER: My transmission ended, and I expect a response from you."
OUT: "This conversation is ended and no response is expected."
ROGER: "I have received all of your last transmission." (Under no circumstances to be used as an affirmative."

MODULO V.- DISTRESS/URGENCY/SAFETY MESSAGES

There are three spoken emergency signals: MAYDAY, PAN- PAN and SECURITY. They show the degree of
severity of an emergency.
 MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY
It means a ship or person is threatened by grave and imminent danger and requests immediate assistance. (It must
be repeated three times)
 PAN PAN, PAN PAN, PAN PAN
It is used for serious situations, but not one where the ship or a person is in 'grave and imminent' danger. (It must be
repeated three times)
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  SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE
It means the calling station has an important navigation or meteorological warning to transmit. (It must be repeated
three times)

STRUCTURE OF A MAYDAY PROCEDURE: Upon receipt of a DSC Distress Alert acknowledgement, the vessel in
distress should commence the distress traffic on one of the international distress traffic frequencies for telephony
(VHF channel 16 or 2182 kHz) as follows:

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY

THIS IS ___________________________(Vessel name 3 times)
MAYDAY ____________________________ (followed by vessel name, Service Identity Code (MMSI), and Call Sign)
POSITION _________________________________________
NATURE OF DISTRESS ______________________________
AID REQUIRED _____________________________________
NUMBER OF PERSONS ON BOARD ___________________

Example of Distress Procedure (MAYDAY)

MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY. This is NONSUCH, NONSUCH, NONSUCH. MAYDAY NONSUCH, three-one-six-
nine-two-five-six-nine-zero; call sign: Delta-Alpha-Mike-Kilo; position four-nine degrees, zero-four decimal six
minutes, North one-two-three degrees, one-eight decimal eight minutes West. Ship has taken on water and in danger
of capsizing, I require immediate assistance, four persons on board, are taking to life raft, over.”

STRUCTURE OF A PAN-PAN PROCEDURE:

PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN

ALL STATIONS (repeated three times)
This is__________________________________________ the 9-digit MMSI of the vessel plus name/call sign or other
identification
THE POSITION OF THE VESSEL ________________________________
THE URGENCY MESSAGE __________________________________________
THE AID REQUIRED ______________________________________________

Example of Distress Procedure (PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN)

All stations, all stations, all stations. This is two-one-one-two-three-nine-six-eight-zero. Motor vessel "BIRTE". CALL
SIGN: Delta-Alpha-Mike- Kilo. POSITION: six-two degrees North, two-six-four degrees East. I have problems with the
main engine. I require tug assistance, over”.

STRUCTURE OF A SECURITE PROCEDURE:

SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE

ALL STATIONS (repeated three times)
This is__________________________________________ the 9-digit MMSI of the vessel, name/call sign of the ship,
or other identification
THE SAFETY MESSAGE __________________________________________

Example of Distress Procedure (SECURITE, SECURITE, SECURITE)

All stations, all stations, all stations. This is two-one-one-two-three-nine-six-eight-zero. Motor vessel "BIRTE". CALL
SIGN: Delta-Alpha-Mike- Kilo. Dangerous wreck located in position two nautical miles South of Peter Reef, over”.

SOME POSSIBLE DISTRESS SITUATIONS ON BOARD MAY BE:

 list, danger of capsizing, disabled, explosion, flooding, sinking, abandoning
 collission, grounding
SOME POSSIBLE URGENCY SITUATIONS ON BOARD MAY BE:
 TECHNICAL FAILURE, CARGO, ICE DAMAGE
SOME POSSIBLE SAFETY SITUATIONS ON BOARD MAY BE:
 METEREOLOGICAL AND HYDROLOGICAL CONDITIONS, RESTRICTED VISIBILITY, ICE
 ABNORMAL TIDES

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COMPONENTS OF A COMMUNICATION:

The message generally consists of four parts:

1. The call-up 3. The message
2. The reply 4. The acknowledgement or ending

MODULO VI.- MARITIME TRAFFIC PROCEDURE

An outline of an intership exchange using Seaspeak:

MAKING CONTACT

Calling Station Responding Station

1 initial call
2 response to initial call
3 indicating the working channel
4 agreeing/disagreeing with the working
channel
5 switch-over procedure switch-over procedure

Initial call contains the following:

a) Address (the station you are calling; two or three times)
b) Identify (your own station)
c) (state the) VHF channel (on which you are calling)
d) Over. (turn-giving signal)

Ejm.: Single station call - name of the ship being called is known:
Calling Station:

RIJEKA RADIO, RIJEKA RADIO, RIJEKA RADIO

THIS IS MARLIN DLG3Y, MARLIN DLG3Y.
(CALLING) ON CHANNEL 16.*
OVER

Responding Station:

MARLIN DLG3Y, MARLIN DLG3Y.

THIS IS RIJEKA RADIO, RIJEKA RADIO (ON VHF CHANNEL ONE-SIX)**
“OVER”

* also COME IN, PLEASE - (frequently used; not suggested by SMCP)

** also GO AHEAD (optional)