VHF SRC Radio
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Pan-Pan – Engine Failure
Pan-Pan – Engine Failure. Practice maritime VHF scenario.
This scenario is part of the full library.
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Scenario briefing
Key teaching points
- PAN-PAN procedure on Channel 16, state engine failure as nature of urgency.
- Request: tow assistance, traffic warning to other vessels, position monitoring by VTS.
- Hoist the appropriate dayshapes: a ball (anchored) is wrong — you are NUC (red-red lights / two balls).
- Sound NUC signal under Rule 35(c) if visibility is restricted: one prolonged + two short.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Calling MAYDAY for engine failure — over-grades the situation unless other vessels are imminent collision risk.
- Forgetting NUC lights/shapes — once drifting without engine, you are Rule 27 NUC and must show the lights.
Why it matters
Engine failure in a busy shipping lane is a textbook PAN-PAN scenario — the situation is serious (loss of propulsion in traffic) but not immediately life-threatening. The call format and the request for towing assistance are both probed in the SRC oral.
Exam relevance
Engine failure PAN-PAN is a common scenario in the VHF SRC oral and an integrated COLREG/VHF question in Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore.
Related scenarios
About SkipperCheck simulators
SkipperCheck offers two browser-based maritime training simulators:
- ARPA · AIS · COLREG Bridge Simulator — 54 scenarios covering Rules 2, 5–10, 12–19, 23–30, 34 and 35.
- VHF SRC Radio Simulator — 15 scenarios: voice Mayday, DSC distress, Mayday Relay, Pan-Pan, Sécurité, routine.
Both run in any modern browser, on desktop or mobile. No install, no plugins.