Fait Accompli - French Phrases in International Air-sea Rescue

French Phrases in International Air-sea Rescue

International authorities have adopted a number of words and phrases from French for use by speakers of all languages in voice communications during air-sea rescues. Note that the "phonetic" versions are presented as shown and not the IPA.

SECURITAY
(securité, "safety") the following is a safety message or warning, the lowest level of danger.
PAN PAN
(panne, "breakdown") the following is a message concerning a danger to a person or ship, the next level of danger.
MAYDAY
( m'aider, come to help me"; note that aidez-moi means "help me") the following is a message of extreme urgency, the highest level of danger. (MAYDAY is used on voice channels for the same uses as SOS on Morse channels.)
SEELONCE
(silence, "silence") keep this channel clear for air-sea rescue communications.
SEELONCE FEE NEE
(silence fini, "silence is over") this channel is now available again.
PRU DONCE
(prudence, "prudence") silence partially lifted, channel may be used again for urgent non-distress communication.
MAY DEE CAL
(médical, "medical") medical assistance needed.

It is a serious breach in most countries, and in international zones, to use any of these phrases without justification.

See Mayday (distress signal) for a more detailed explanation.

Read more about this topic:  Fait Accompli

Famous quotes containing the words french, phrases and/or rescue:

    “It was not reason that besieged Troy; it was not reason that sent forth the Saracen from the desert to conquer the world; that inspired the crusades; that instituted the monastic orders; it was not reason that produced the Jesuits; above all, it was not reason that created the French Revolution. Man is only great when he acts from the passions; never irresistible but when he appeals to the imagination.”
    —Benjamin Disraeli (1804–1881)

    “And so I will take back up my poor life, so plain and so tranquil, where phrases are adventures and the only flowers I gather are metaphors.”
    —Gustave Flaubert (1821–1880)

    “Here I pause in my sojourning, giving thanks for having come,
    come to trust, at every turning, God will guide me safely home.
    Jesus sought me when a stranger, wandering from the fold of God,
    Came to rescue me from danger, precious presence, precious blood.”
    —Robert Robinson (1735–1790)