Pan Pan

An internationally recognised maritime urgency signal used in radio communications to indicate a situation that is urgent but does not pose an immediate threat to life or the vessel.

The term Pan Pan originates from the French word “panne,” meaning a breakdown or failure, and is used in maritime and aeronautical radio communications to alert others of an urgent situation requiring assistance, but not an immediate distress. It is part of the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and sits below the “Mayday” distress call in terms of severity. When a vessel issues a Pan Pan call, it signals that there is a problem that requires attention, such as a mechanical failure, a medical emergency, or a navigational hazard, but there is no immediate danger to life or the vessel’s integrity.

The Pan Pan call is transmitted three times consecutively (e.g., “Pan Pan, Pan Pan, Pan Pan”) at the start of the message to ensure clarity and to distinguish it from other communications. It is followed by the vessel’s name, position, nature of the urgency, and any other relevant information. This allows nearby vessels and maritime authorities to assess the situation and provide appropriate assistance. Importantly, a Pan Pan call does not trigger an automatic search and rescue operation, as it is considered less critical than a “Mayday” call. However, it ensures that the vessel in need can receive timely support from nearby ships or coastguard services.