Maritime English · for seafarers
Quiz: radio communication (SMCP)
The IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases for the radio: distress and urgency signals, Say again, Over and Out, message markers, courses and numbers. 15 questions, each answer explained.
- 15 questions
- Level A2–B1
- Every answer explained
- No sign-up
Maritime English Quiz: Radio Communication (SMCP)
Choose the right option — you’ll instantly see if you got it and why. Your score comes after the last question.
Question 1.
A ship is sinking and needs immediate help. The radio call starts with (blank).
Choose the right option
Mayday is the distress signal for grave and immediate danger.
Question 2.
A crew member is injured but the ship is not in danger. The call starts with (blank).
Choose the right option
Pan-Pan is urgency without direct danger to the ship.
Question 3.
A gale warning for all ships in the area starts with (blank).
Choose the right option
Sécurité is used for safety messages such as gale and navigational warnings.
Question 4.
You didn’t hear the position clearly. You say: “(blank) your position.”
Choose the right option
In SMCP you ask for a repeat with “Say again”; “Repeat” is for repeating part of your own message.
Question 5.
You finish your message and wait for a reply. You say: “(blank)”
Choose the right option
Over means “I’ve finished, please reply”; Out means the call is over.
Question 6.
The conversation is finished and no reply is needed. You say: “(blank)”
Choose the right option
Out ends the call; no reply is expected.
Question 7.
“My course (blank) degrees.” (course 090)
Choose the right option
Courses are given as three single digits: zero-nine-zero.
Question 8.
Message markers: “(blank). What is your ETA at the pilot station?”
Choose the right option
The marker QUESTION comes before a question.
Question 9.
From a coastal station: “(blank). Do not enter the fairway.”
Choose the right option
INSTRUCTION marks a compulsory order, for example from a VTS station.
Question 10.
“(blank). I will alter course to starboard.”
Choose the right option
INTENTION tells others what you are going to do.
Question 11.
ETA means estimated time of (blank).
Choose the right option
ETA is the estimated time of arrival.
Question 12.
You notice an error in your message. First you say “(blank)”, then “Correction” and the right information.
Choose the right option
In SMCP you say “Mistake”, then “Correction” and the right information.
Question 13.
“(blank) on channel one-six.” (wait and listen on VHF 16)
Choose the right option
Stand by means wait and listen on the channel.
Question 14.
The answer “yes” on the radio is (blank).
Choose the right option
In SMCP “yes” is Yes or Affirmative, and “no” is No or Negative.
Question 15.
The position is read digit by digit: 4 is “four” and 9 is “(blank)”.
Choose the right option
Under IMO rules 9 is said “niner” so it isn’t confused with other words.
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Take the level testRadio English: the essentials
SMCP (Standard Marine Communication Phrases) are the IMO’s standard phrases: short and unambiguous so every crew understands them. Here’s what is tested most.
Signals: Mayday, Pan-Pan, Sécurité
Mayday — grave and immediate danger to a ship or people. Pan-Pan — urgent, but no direct danger (an injury, engine failure). Sécurité — a warning for all: a gale, an obstruction in the fairway.
Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. This is motor vessel Odesa Star.
A distress call from the ship Odesa Star.
Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan. I have a seriously injured person on board.
An urgency call about an injured person.
Procedure words
Say again — please repeat. Over — I’ve finished, please reply. Out — the call is over. Stand by — wait. Mistake… Correction — correcting an error. Yes / Affirmative, No / Negative.
Say again your ETA. Over.
Please repeat your estimated time of arrival; your turn.
Mistake. Correction: my position is two miles south of the buoy.
Correcting a wrong position.
Message markers
You can say the type of a message first: QUESTION, ANSWER, INSTRUCTION (a compulsory order), ADVICE, REQUEST, INFORMATION, INTENTION (what I’m going to do), WARNING.
INTENTION. I will alter course to starboard.
Telling others you’re turning right.
INSTRUCTION. Do not overtake.
An order not to pass another ship.
Typical mistakes
Things learners of English often say. On the left — what to avoid, on the right — the correct version.
Not this:
Repeat, please.This: Say again.
In SMCP “Repeat” is for repeating part of your own message. To ask for a repeat, say “Say again”.
Not this:
Over and out.This: Out.
Over means “please reply”, Out means “the call is over”. Together they contradict each other.
Not this:
My course is ninety degrees.This: My course zero-nine-zero degrees.
A course is three single digits.
Not this:
Pan-Pan, my ship is sinking!This: Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. I am sinking.
Direct danger to life is Mayday only. Pan-Pan is for urgent situations without it.
FAQ
Didn’t find your answer? Send us a request — we’ll tell you everything.
What is SMCP?
The Standard Marine Communication Phrases: standard English phrases adopted by the IMO for ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore communication. They’re taught at maritime academies and tested in Marlins and CES.
Is this an official test?
No: it’s a free practice quiz by Slay School with our own questions, to check yourself before an exam or a voyage.
What should I study next?
Safety and radio words with audio, the safety-on-board quiz and the Marlins-style practice test — all in the Modern professions section.
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