Situated Key Phrases

As is the case with message markers from the previous lesson, certain phrases are agreed upon for certain situations – to further simplify communication. 

Corrections and Repetitions

To keep communication (especially radio coms) short and concise, there are agreed ways of making corrections and changes to something you have said. To emphasise a certain part of a message or forestall possible misunderstandings, repetitions are used.  If you make a mistake in a message, say "mistake" followed by the word "correction" plus the corrected message.

Example: 

“My present speed is 14 knots… Mistake. 
Correction, my present speed is 12, one-two, knots."

If a part of a message is considered especially important or there might be a reason to expect a misunderstanding or misconception, simply repeat the part of the message marked with the word "repeat". This is also useful for spelling out letters or numbers.

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, say “say again.”

Common Phrases and Everyday Words 

In navigational warnings; search and rescue missions and naval communications, there are keywords and phrases that can be mistaken for everyday language in other contexts or for non-seafarers.

“Reported” is a good example.

The word reported is used in navigational warnings or in search and rescue actually means that the position of the object is unconfirmed. This might seem contradictory since reported in the sense of 'seen' or 'spotted' usually doesn’t require further confirmation of position. 

In a navigational warning, 'reported'  implies an action to be taken – a vessel reported in a certain area may have gone radio silent after a distress signal. Action to be taken is therefore to try and locate the vessel.

Example of “Reported” in a Phrase:

“CS Seably reported in the area”

The word located used in navigational warnings means the position of object confirmed.

Example of “Located” in a Phrase:

“CS Seably located in the … area” 

• A 'Ship not under command' (NUC) refers to a vessel that through some exceptional circumstances is unable to manoeuvre as required. 
• 'Off-air' refers to the transmissions of a radio station, VTS or of other communication centres that have broken down, been switched off or been suspended.
• 'Off station' means that a navigation aid is no longer in its charted position.
• 'Speed of advance' refers to the speed at which a storm or ship is approaching you or another entity.
• 'Stand by' means to be in a state of readiness, be prepared to execute an order and be readily available.
• A 'Target' is an object identified on a radar screen or visually.
• 'Track' refers to the route followed or to be followed by your vessel or another.
• 'Transit' can mean either your passage through a canal, river, etc.  It can also be used while navigating in close waters, two objects can be in transit/in line with each other.  When they are in line you are not deviating from your course.
• 'Waypoint' refers to a position on the vessels' charted course (paper or digital), this waypoint is a turn, pilot embarkation, engine change, etc.