Module 6: Proper Phrases and the Phonetic Numbers and Alphabet

  Reference:         English for Maritime Students

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

OBJECTIVES:

 At the end of the lesson the students will be able to:
        a. correctly pronounce words and phrases from the SMCP
        b. correctly use phrases from the SMCP (Standard Marine Communication Phrases)
        c.  correctly pronounce the phonetic alphabet and the phonetic numbers

Radiotelephone or radiophone communication take place from ship to ship, ship to shore, land station to land station, mobile station to mobile station, aircraft station to land station, aircraft station to aircraft station, etc.

Generally, communication via radiotelephone encounters a lot of difficulties in reception because varied factors such as static, fading and interference due to noises picked up inside the receiving room or by the transmitter.

To improve intelligibility and accuracy of the message in the receiving end, phonetic alphabet and phonetic numbers are used in transmitting messages.


A.   The International Phonetic Alphabet

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

B.    The Phonetic Numbers

Figure	Code Word
0	Nadazero
1	Unaone
2	Bissotwo
3	Terrathree
4	Kartefour
5	Pentafive
6	Soxisix
7	Setteseven
8	Oktoeight
9	Novenine
Full Stop	Stop
Decimal Point	Decimal

C.    Selected Phrases from the SMCP

     In radiotelephone communication messages can sometimes be misconstrued when proper phrases are not used. In the advent of modern communication, a new generation of radio slang has been produced and is becoming common. Although they are easily understood by a native speaker, these words and phrases can be easily misunderstood by a non-native speaker.


      A. Responses

          1. When the response to a question is in the affirmative, say ‘Yes’.
          2. When the response to a question is in the negative, say ‘No’.
          3. When the information is not immediate available but soon will be, say ‘Stand by’.
          4. When the required information cannot be obtained, say ‘No information’.
          5. When a message has not been properly heard, say ‘Say again’.
          6. When a message is not understood, say ‘Message not understood’.

Sometimes, incorrect terms are used in radio communication. Here are some examples:
1. ‘Affirmative’, ‘Roger’, ‘Wilco’, ‘Right’, instead of ‘Yes’
2. ‘Negative’, ‘No way’, instead of ‘No’.
3. ‘Wait’, ‘Wait one’ (meaning ‘wait one minute’), or ‘Hang on’, instead of ‘Stand by’
4. ‘Don’t know’ instead of ‘No information’
5. ‘Repeat’ instead of ‘Say again’


B.Urgent Messages
1. Mayday – used to prefix distress

              Example: 

                          Mayday. Mayday. This is Cassandra. I need help, I am sinking.


          2. Pan – used to prefix urgency

              Example: 

                           Pan. Pan. This is Cassandra. I require medical assistance.


        3. Securite – used to prefix safety signals

              Example: 

                           Securite. Securite. Floating wreckage in position…


         4. Attention – may be used at the beginning of an important message

               Example:

                           Attention. Attention all ships. A warning of storms was issued at 1400 hours starting…

EXERCISES


A.   Responses

     

        Give the correct responses to the following statements:
          1. Pilot station. This is Cassandra. Is it clear for me to enter traffic lane?
          2. Pilot station. This is Cassandra. May I proceed?
          3. What is your draught?
          4. Princess . This is Cassandra. Is there any other traffic?
          5. Princess you are steering a dangerous course. There is fishing gear ahead of you.
          6. Princess. Vessel ahead of you is on opposite course.


B.    Urgent Messages

        Use the correct prefix and state the correct message.
          1. Mayday
              a. Your ship is in distress. You are in position 38° North and 02° East. Your ship is on fire and you have a dangerous cargo on board.
              b. Your ship is in distress. You have been in a collision and you need help.
             c. Your ship is in distress. You are in position 15° South, 150° East. You are on fire in the accommodation.


          2. Pan
          a. You have lost a man overboard in position 80° South and 32° East. You require help with search and rescue from all ships in the area.


          b. A crewman is seriously injured, and you require medical assistance.


          3. Securite
          a. You sight a drifting mine 2 miles 330° from St. Nicholas Point. Warn other ships.
          b. Newharbour radio beacon service has been discontinued. Warn other ships.
         c. Tropical storm Sally is reported in position 15° North, 75° West. What would the radio station issuing the warning say?