What is “Mayday” Mayday? The Distress Call That Saves Lives

Mayday is an internationally recognised distress signal used in radio communications to indicate a life-threatening emergency. You’ll most commonly hear it used by aircraft and boats, but it can apply in various emergency scenarios.

The word “Mayday” is derived from the French phrase “m’aider,” which means “help me,”   The name was coined in 1923 by Frederick Mockford, a senior radio officer at London’s Croydon Airport.   The phrase was officially recognized as the standard radio distress signal in 1948.

  To make sure the word is understood, especially over static or noise, it is always spoken three times:  Mayday!   Mayday! Mayday!

Mayday Distress Call Format

A proper Mayday distress message typically follows this structure:

Mayday (said once)

ALL STATIONS (repeated three times)

THIS IS

Call sign or name of the station transmitting (repeated three times)

Time of the message

Call sign of the vessel in distress

Details of the emergency:

Nature of distress

Location (or last known location)

Weather conditions

Fuel left (if applicable)

Number of people in danger

Assistance required

Mayday Relay

If the vessel or aircraft in distress cannot send out a Mayday call themselves (e.g., due to equipment failure), another nearby vessel may send a Mayday Relay on their behalf. This ensures that the emergency call continues to reach authorities until help arrives.

⚠️ Important: In the United States, making a false Mayday call is a serious crime. It can result in up to 6 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Who coined the term “Mayday”?

A: The term “Mayday” was introduced in 1923 by Frederick Mockford, a radio officer at Croydon Airport in London. He selected it because it sounded like the French phrase “m’aider,” which translates to “help me.

Why is “Mayday” said three times in an emergency?

A: Saying “Mayday” three times helps ensure clarity and prevents confusion. It cuts through background noise or poor signal quality, making it unmistakable as a distress call. 

What does a Mayday Relay mean?

A: A Mayday Relay is when another vessel or station transmits a distress call on behalf of one that is unable to do so. This ensures that the emergency message continues to reach rescue services promptly.