Marine Communication: Standard Phrases (SMCP)

Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)

• SMCP includes key phrases in English, the recognized language of the sea, for global maritime use
• It is supported by the international community and developed by the International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• The phrases address safety-related verbal communications, shore-to-ship, ship-to-ship, and onboard
• Its purpose is to overcome language barriers at sea thus, preventing misunderstandings and accidents

Importance of Marine Communication

• Ships follow communication protocols to promote clarity and minimize accident risks
• Improper communication can lead to incidents involving vessels with tons of cargo or many passengers, potentially far from rescue

Foreword

• Navigational and safety communications must be clear, simple, and unambiguous to avoid confusion
• Standardizing language is crucial due to the increase in internationally trading vessels with multilingual crews
• Misunderstandings can endanger the vessel, people onboard, and the environment
• In 1973, the Maritime Safety Committee decided on English as the common language for navigation
• Consequently, the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary (SMNV) was developed in 1977 and amended in 1985
• In 1992, the Maritime Safety Committee instructed a more comprehensive safety language than SMNV 1985
• In 1997, the Maritime Safety Committee adopted the Draft IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP)
• Following international trials, the draft IMO SMCP was amended at the forty-sixth session of the Sub-Committee
• The Assembly adopted it in November 2001 as resolution A.918(22)

Introduction

• The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978 mandates IMO SMCP knowledge for officers on vessels of 500 gross tonnage or more

IMO SMCP Objectives

• Assist in greater safety of navigation
• Standardize communication for navigation at sea, in port approaches, waterways, harbors, and on multilingual vessels
• Aid maritime training institutions
• It is not intended to contradict International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea, 1972, or special local regulations
• The phrases should not supersede the International Code of Signals
• Ship's external communications must align with ITU Radio Regulations
• The IMO SMCP is a collection of phrases, not a technical manual for operational instructions
• The IMO SMCP meets requirements of the STCW Convention, 1978, and the SOLAS Convention, 1974 regarding verbal communication

Organization of IMO SMCP

• IMO SMCP is divided into External Communication and On-board Communication Phrases
• Further divided into Part A and Part B, concerning its status within the STCW 1978 framework
• Part A replaces the Standard Marine Navigational Vocabulary 1985
• It is enriched with phrases for ship handling and safety, especially when a pilot is on the bridge
• Part B contains other on-board safety phrases, supplementary to Part A, useful for maritime English instruction

Position of IMO SMCP in Maritime Education and Training

• IMO SMCP is not a comprehensive maritime English syllabus
• Part A is essential for curricula meeting STCW Convention 1978 requirements
• Part B offers phrases well-suited to meet communication requirements of the STCW Convention 1978
• The IMO SMCP should be taught selectively, based on users’ needs, through practical exercises and teaching methods

Basic Communicative Features

• IMO SMCP is drafted in simplified maritime English
• It aims to reduce misunderstanding in verbal safety communications
• It reflects current maritime English usage

Further Communicative Features

• Avoid the use of Synonyms
• Avoid contracted forms
• Provides fully worded answers to "yes/no" questions
• There is one phrase for one event
• Corresponding phrases follow "identical invariable plus variable" structure

Typographical Conventions

• ( ) Brackets enclose an optional message part
• / Oblique strokes separate alternatives
• … Dots indicate information to be filled in
• Italic letters indicate the type of information requested
• ~ Tildes precede possible words or phrases for use

General Procedures for Using IMO SMCP

• To indicate the use of IMO SMCP: "Please use IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases" or "I will use IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases."
• When spelling is necessary, use only the provided spelling table.
• Message Markers have eight types: Instruction, Advice, Warning, Information, Question, Answer, Request, Intention

Responses

• Affirmative answers use "Yes ..." + the phrase
• Negative answers use "No ..." + the phrase
• Unavailability of immediate information uses "Stand by" + time interval.
• Inability to obtain information is communicated by "No information."
• Acknowledge instructions or advice: "I will/can ..." or "I will not/cannot ..." + the phrase.

Distress, Urgency, and Safety Signals

• MAYDAY: used for distress messages
• PAN PAN: used for urgency messages
• SECURITE: used for safety messages

Maritime Communication Standards

• State "One-five-zero" for 150
• "Two decimal five" or "Two point five” for 2.5
• Rudder angles, e.g. in wheel orders: "Fifteen" for 15 or "Twenty" for 20

Positions

• Latitude and longitude are expressed in degrees and minutes, North/South of the Equator, East/West of Greenwich
• When relating position to a mark, the mark should be a well-defined object and the bearing FROM the mark must be in 360 degrees notation

Bearings

• Bearings are expressed from north in 360 degrees notation, except for relative bearings
• Relative bearings are in degrees relative to the vessel's head, port, or starboard bow

Courses

• Courses are expressed in 360 degree notation from north, stating TO or FROM a mark

Distances

• Distances are expressed in nautical miles or cables, with the unit stated

Speed

• Speed is expressed in knots
• Without notation meaning speed through the water, use "ground speed" for speed over the ground

Time

• Time is expressed in 24-hour UTC notation or state clearly if using local time

Geographical Names

• Use chart or Sailing Directions names; include latitude and longitude if needed

Ambiguous Words and Conditionals

• Context matters:
• "May"*: "QUESTION. Do I have permission to enter the fairway?", instead of "May I enter the fairway?"
• "Might"*: "INTENTION. I will enter the fairway," instead of "I might enter the fairway."
• "Should*": "ADVICE. Anchor in anchorage B 3," instead of "You should anchor in anchorage B 3."
• "Could"*:" WARNING. You are running into danger," instead of "You could be running into danger."

The Word "Can"

• "Can" describes possibility/capability; ambiguous contexts require specific phrasing (e.g., "QUESTION. Do I have permission?")

Standard Marine Communication Phrases (SMCP) Part A

• Part A covers external communications, ship-to-shore, shore-to-ship, ship-to-ship, as per STCW 1978, Table A-II/1
• Phrases applicable on board vessels in conversations between Pilots and bridge teams
• It follows Regulation 144 of Chapter V of SOLAS 1974

Distress Traffic

• The distress traffic controlling station imposes radio silence using "Seelonce Mayday/Distress"
• A distress traffic always commences with stating the position of the vessel in distress
• Examples: Fire, explosion, not under command, state of the fire, assistance required etc

Disabled and Adrift

• State condition as "I am / MV ... not under command / adrift."
• Indicate drifting direction and speed, need for assistance

Performing / Co-ordinating SAR Operations

• These phrases are normally questions and advice given by the On-scene Co-ordinator (OSC)
• First state: "I will act as On-scene Co-ordinator", before anything else

MAYDAY Details

• State: "MAYDAY position is not correct"
• Then: "Correct MAYDAY position is ... ."
• State: "Vessels are advised to proceed to position to start rescue."
• Include details of search pattern, course, speed, track number, etc

Standard Distress Message Structure

• Following a DSC Distress Alert acknowledgement, the vessel in distress should commence the distress traffic on an international distress traffic frequency such as VHF Channel 16 or frequency 2182 kHz, adhering to a defined format

Examples

• Identify the MMSI, name, call sign/identification, its position, nature of the distress, and assistance required.

Standard Urgency Message Structure

• A switch to a VHF Channel 16 or frequency 2182 kHz before starting the urgency traffic

Examples

• Identify the MMSI, name, call sign/identification, its position, problems, and requirements

Standard Safety Message Structure

• A switch to a VHF Channel 16 or frequency 2182 kHz before starting the safety traffic

Examples

• Clearly state the type of wreck, its identifying MMSI name, call sign/identification, position

On-board Communication Phrases

• All wheel orders should be repeated by the helmsman
• Officer of the watch should ensure they are carried out correctly and immediately.
• The helmsman must report immediately if the vessel does not answer the wheel

Order Meanings (Wheel Orders)

• Midships: Rudder to be held in the fore and aft position
• Port/starboard to Port: Set the rudder to the corresponding degree
• Nothing to port/starboard: Avoid vessel's head go to either side
• Meet her: Reduce vessel swing during turning
• Steady: Reduce swing immediately
• Steady as she goes: Maintains steady course as indicated by helmsman

Standard Engine Orders

• An engine order should be repeated by the bridge telegraphs' operator
• The officer of the watch should ensure the order is carried out immediately

Engine Order List

• The list includes speed settings, stop, readiness states, operation states
• Twin propellers vessels must use the term “both” with orders, and to manoeuvre twin propellers independently

The following orders are used where bow thrusters are used:

• Bow thruster full / half to port / starboard
• Stern thruster full / half to port / starboard
• Bow / stern thruster stop

Going to anchor phrases

• Prepare for letting go by announcing the specific anchor
• Provide details on the amount of cable being paid out
• Request assistance by stating anchor(s) shackle(s)
• Seek information by requesting how the anchor(s) cable(s) if they are holding

Berthing phrases

• Indicate which side will berth, specifying alongside and which type of mooring

Unberthing phrases

• Prepare by announcing: Stand by engine(s), Are you ready to get underway?
• Indicate the action by stating: slack away / hold on / heave on etc
• Finishing states: Stand by bow anchor(s), Finished with manoeuvring stations

Part B IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases

• Part B complements Part A, assisting mariners with communication needs and English instruction