ICS code book

NC group

I am in distress and require immediate assistance.

NC is also a distress signal under Annex IV of the COLREGs.

CB group

I require immediate assistance.

CJ group

Do you require assistance?

CK group

Assistance is not (or is no longer) required by me (or vessel indicated).

CN group

You should give all possible assistance.

CP group

I am (or vessel indicated is) proceeding to your assistance.

CV group

I am unable to give assistance.

CO group

Assistance cannot be given to you (or vessel/aircraft indicated).

CE group

I will attempt to obtain for you the assistance required.

CL group

I offered assistance but it was declined.

ED group

Your distress signals are understood.

EF group

SOS/MAYDAY has been cancelled.

AC group

I am abandoning my vessel.

AE group

I must abandon my vessel.

AG group

You should abandon your vessel as quickly as possible.

AH group

You should not abandon your vessel.

AD group

I am abandoning my vessel which has suffered a nuclear accident and is a possible source of radiation danger.

AF group

I do not intend to abandon my vessel.

AI group

Vessel (indicated by position and/or name or identity signal if necessary) will have to be abandoned.

AJ group

I have had a serious nuclear accident and you should approach with caution.

AK group

I have had a nuclear accident on board.

AN group

I need a doctor.

AL group

I have a doctor on board.

AM group

Have you a doctor?

AO group

Number of injured and/or dead not yet known.

AQ group

I have injured/sick person (or number of persons indicated) to be taken off urgently.

BR group

I require a helicopter urgently.

BU group

A helicopter/boat is coming to take injured/sick.

BV group

I cannot send a helicopter.

BS group

You should send a helicopter/boat with stretcher.

BT group

Helicopter is coming to you now (or at time indicated).

BW group

The magnetic course for you to steer towards me (or vessel or position indicated) is… (at time indicated).

BX group

The magnetic course for the helicopter to regain its base is…

BY group

Will you indicate the magnetic course for me to steer towards you (or vessel or position indicated)?

BZ group

Your magnetic bearing from me (or from vessel or position indicated) is… (at time indicated).

CA group

What is my magnetic bearing from you (or from vessel or position indicated)?

CX group

Boats cannot be used.

DV group

I am drifting.

DX group

I am sinking (lat… long… if necessary).

AU group

I am forced to alight near you (or in position indicated).

AV group

I am alighting (in position indicated if necessary) to pick up crew of vessel/aircraft.

AW group

Aircraft should endeavor to alight where flag is waved or light is shown.

AX group

You should train your searchlight nearly vertical on a cloud, intermittently if possible, and, if my aircraft is seen, deflect the beam upwind and on the water to facilitate my landing.

AY group

I will alight on your deck; (you should steer course… speed… knots).

AZ group

I cannot alight but I can lift crew.

BA group

You cannot alight on the deck.

BB group

You may alight on my deck.

BC group

I have established communications with the aircraft in distress on 2182 kHz.

BD group

I have established communications with the aircraft in distress on… kHz.

BE group

I have established communications with the aircraft in distress on… MHz.

BF group

Aircraft is ditched in position indicated and requires immediate assistance.

BG group

Aircraft is still afloat.

BH group

I sighted an aircraft at time indicated in lat… long… flying on course…

BI group

I am flying to likely position of vessel in distress.

BJ group

I am circling over the area of accident.

BK group

You are overhead.

BL group

I am having engine trouble but am continuing flight.

BM group

You should parachute object to windward. Mark it by smoke or light signal.

BO group

We are going to jump by parachute.

BP group

Aircraft is coming to participate in search. Expected to arrive over the area of accident at time indicated.

BQ group

The speed of my aircraft in relation to the surface of the earth is… (knots or kilometers per hour).

A letter

I have a diver down; keep well clear at slow speed.

B letter

I am taking in, or discharging, or carrying dangerous goods.

C letter

Yes (affirmative or "The significance of the previous group should be read in the affirmative").

D letter

Keep clear of me; I am maneuvering with difficulty.

E letter

I am altering my course to starboard.

F letter

I am disabled; communicate with me.

G letter

I require a pilot. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am hauling nets".

H letter

I have a pilot on board.

I letter

I am altering my course to port.

J letter

I am on fire and have dangerous cargo on board: keep well clear of me, or I am leaking dangerous cargo.

K letter

I wish to communicate with you.

L letter

You should stop your vessel instantly.

M letter

My vessel is stopped and making no way through the water.

N letter

No (negative or "The significance of the previous group should be read in the negative"). This signal may be given only visually or by sound. For voice or radio transmission the signal should be "NO".

O letter

Man overboard.

P letter

In harbor: All persons should report on board as the vessel is about to proceed to sea. At sea: It may be used by fishing vessels to mean: "My nets have come fast upon an obstruction". It may also be used as a sound to mean: "I require a pilot".

Q letter

My vessel is "healthy" and I request free pratique.

S letter

I am operating astern propulsion.

T letter

Keep clear of me; I am engaged in pair trawling.

U letter

You are running into danger.

V letter

I require assistance.

W letter

I require medical assistance.

X letter

Stop carrying out your intentions and watch for my signals.

Y letter

I am dragging my anchor.

Z letter

I require a tug. When made by fishing vessels operating in close proximity on the fishing grounds it means: "I am shooting nets".