The rules of SMCP

This indicates that with the following message the sender wants to influence others to do something based on a strict rule or legal regulation. This instruction must be followed.

Example: "INSTRUCTION: You must alter course."

This indicates that the following message the sender wants to influence others to do something based on a recommendation. The advice does not have to be followed. The decision to follow the advice lies with the person who receives the advice. It is not mandatory.

Example: "ADVICE. Stand by on VHF channel six nine."

This indicates that with the following message the sender wants to inform others about imminent danger. The recipient ( her or she who receives the message) should pay immediate attention.

Example: "WARNING. Obstruction in fairway."

This indicates that the following message contains information on observed facts, situations, etc. The information given is useful for the recipient and usually contains navigational and traffic information.

Example: "INFORMATION. Tanker stop in area Cod End Bank due to poor visibility."

This indicates that the following message has the character of a question. The sender wants information and wants to ask a question. He or she expects an answer.

Example: "QUESTION. What is your draft?"

This indicates that the following message is the reply to a previous question. Note that an answer should not contain another question (!).

Example: "ANSWER. My maximum draft is seven metres."

This indicates that the following message is asking for action from others in matters having to do with the vessel. The use of this marker is to signal: I want something to be arranged or provided, e.g. ship’s stores requirements, tugs, permission, etc.. REQUEST must not be used for messages involving navigation, or to modify COLREGS. ( traffic rules at sea)

Example: "REQUEST. (Please) supply bunkers."

This indicates that the following message informs others about immediate navigational action intended to be taken by the sender. The use of this message marker is logically restricted to messages announcing navigational actions by the vessel sending this message.

Example: "INTENTION. I will reduce speed."

May ( zou ik mogen?)

Do not say: "May I enter the fairway?"

Say: "QUESTION. Do I have permission to enter the fairway?"

Do not say: "You may enter the fairway."

Say: "ANSWER. You have permission to enter the fairway."

Might ( mogelijk ga ik…)

Do not say: "I might enter the fairway."

Say: "INTENTION. I will enter the fairway."

Should ( zou moeten… )

Do not say: "You should anchor in anchorage B 3."

Say: "ADVICE. Anchor in anchorage B 3."

Could ( zou kunnen… )

Do not say: "You could be running into danger."

Say: "WARNING. You are running into danger."

The word "can" is used when you are

1/ able to do something ( Can you run for 15 miles?) or when you

2/ ask permission for something (Can I borrow your pen?)

In SMCP, do not say: "Can I use the shallow draft fairway at this time?" if you are asking for a permission. The same applies to the word "may".

The following sentence should be used:

"QUESTION. Do I have permission to use the shallow draft fairway at this time?"

If you make a mistake while communicating, you can correct this. Say:

"Mistake ..." followed by the word: "Correction ... " plus the corrected part of the message.

Example: "My present speed is 14 knots - mistake. Correction, my present speed is 12, one-two, knots."

Readiness: if you are not in a position to respond to a certain message, say:

Example: "I am/I am not ready to receive your message".

If any part of the message is considered sufficiently important to need safeguarding, say: "Repeat ... " - followed by the corresponding essential part of the message.

Example: "My draft is 12.6 repeat one-two decimal 6 metres."

"Do not overtake - repeat - do not overtake."

When a message is not properly heard / understood, say:

"Say again (please)."

Numbers are to be spoken in separate digits:

"One-five-zero" for 150

"Two decimal five" or two point five” for 2.5

Note: When rudder angles, e.g. in wheel orders, are given, say:

"Fifteen" for 15 or

"Twenty" for 20, etc.

When latitude and longitude are used, these must be expressed in degrees and minutes (and decimals of a minute if necessary), North or South of the Equator and East or West of Greenwich.

Example: "WARNING. Dangerous wreck in position 15 degrees 34 minutes North 061 degrees 29 minutes West."

When the position is related to a mark, the mark shall be a well-defined charted object. The bearing shall be in the 360 degrees notation from true north and shall be that of the position FROM the mark.

Example: "Your position bearing 137 degrees from Big Head lighthouse distance 2.4 nautical miles."

The bearing of the mark or vessel concerned is the bearing in the 360 degree notation from north (true north unless otherwise stated), except in the case of relative bearings. Bearings may be either FROM the mark or FROM the vessel.

Example: "Pilot boat is bearing 215 degrees from you."

Relative bearings:

Relative bearings can be expressed in degrees relative to the vessel's head. More frequently this is in relation to the port or starboard bow.

Example: "Buoy 030 degrees on your port bow." (Relative D/F bearings are more commonly expressed in the 360 degree notation.)

Note: Vessels reporting their position should always quote their bearing FROM the mark.

Always to be expressed in 360 degree notation from north (true north unless otherwise stated). Whether this is to TO or FROM a mark can also be stated.

To be expressed in nautical miles or cables (tenths of a mile), the unit needs always to be stated.

To be expressed in knots: without further notation, meaning speed through the water; or, "ground speed", meaning speed over the ground.

Times should be expressed in the 24 hour UTC notation; if local time will be used in ports or harbours it should clearly be stated.

Place names used should be those on the chart or in Sailing Directions in use.

Note: Should these not be understood, latitude and longitude should be given.