Mastering VHF Radio: A Fun Game for Sailors

Picture this: You are anchored in a beautiful bay in Croatia, the sun is setting, and the crew is relaxing in the cockpit with a cold drink. It is the perfect moment to ask a terrifying question: "If I pass out right now, do you know how to call for help?" Most crews will freeze. Operating a VHF radio during a crisis is intimidating. To fix this, we created The VHF Radio Game—a fun, stress-free role-playing exercise you can do right in the cockpit to turn your passengers into a capable crew. Here is everything you need to play the game on your next sailing trip.

The Setup: What You Need

• Two Handheld Radios: You can use two cheap walkie-talkies or one walkie-talkie and your portable VHF. Just make sure the real VHF is turned OFF so you don’t accidentally broadcast a fake Mayday to the Coast Guard!

• The Roles: One person plays the "Captain in Distress," and another plays the "Coast Guard."

• The Cheat Sheets: (Keep reading below).

  
  

Level 1: The "No Balls, No Commas" Rule

Before handing out the radios, teach your crew how to read coordinates. Over a crackly radio, "Forty" sounds a lot like "Fourteen." To avoid sending the rescue helicopter to the wrong side of the sea, we read every single number individually.

• The Rule: Ignore the degree (°) and minute (') symbols. There are no "balls" and no "commas" on the radio.

• Example Position: 44° 40' N, 014° 10' E

• How to say it: "Four-Four Degrees, Four-Zero Minutes North... Zero-One-Four Degrees, One-Zero Minutes East."

  
  

Level 2: The Phonetic Alphabet

When the signal is weak, you will need to spell out your boat name or call sign. Keep this list handy:

A - Alpha | B - Bravo | C - Charlie | D - Delta | E - Echo | F - Foxtrot | G - Golf | H - Hotel | I - India | J - Juliett | K - Kilo | L - Lima | M - Mike | N - November | O - Oscar | P - Papa | Q - Quebec | R - Romeo | S - Sierra | T - Tango | U - Uniform | V - Victor | W - Whiskey | X - X-ray | Y - Yankee | Z - Zulu

Level 3: The Big Three Calls (The Cheat Sheet)

Print this out and leave it on the chart table. This is the script your crew will use during the game.

1. MAYDAY (Grave & Imminent Danger) Use when sinking, on fire, or for a life-threatening medical emergency.

• "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY."

• "This is [Boat Name], [Boat Name], [Boat Name]. Call sign [Spelled out]."

• "MAYDAY. This is [Boat Name]."

• "My position is [Coordinates]."

• "We are sinking / on fire. We require immediate rescue."

• "There are [Number] persons on board. OVER."

  
  

2. PAN-PAN (Urgency) Use when you have a serious problem, but no immediate danger to life (e.g., engine failure, drifting).

• "PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN, PAN-PAN."

• "All Stations, All Stations, All Stations."

• "This is [Boat Name], [Boat Name]."

• "My position is [Coordinates]."

• "We have engine failure and are drifting. We require a tow. OVER."

  
  

3. SECURITÉ (Safety Warning) Use to warn others about a hazard (floating logs, sudden fog).

• "SECURITÉ, SECURITÉ, SECURITÉ."

• "All Stations, All Stations, All Stations. This is [Boat Name]."

• "Be advised, there is a large floating container at [Coordinates]."

• "Keep a sharp lookout. OUT."

  
  

Level 4: The Scenario Cards (Let's Play!)

Print these cards, cut them out, and hand one to a crew member. Do not let them show it to anyone else. The "Coast Guard" will use their card to interrogate the caller.

Card 1: Sinking (MAYDAY)

• Vessel: BLUE MARLIN (Call Sign: Bravo-Mike-Two-Four)

• Emergency: Hit a submerged rock. Taking on water rapidly. Pumps failing.

• Position: 43° 15' N, 016° 24' E

• POB (Persons on Board): 4 adults

  
  

Card 2: Engine Dead (PAN-PAN)

• Vessel: SEA BREEZE (Call Sign: Sierra-Bravo-Niner-Niner)

• Emergency: Complete engine failure. Drifting towards rocks. Need a tow.

• Position: 44° 02' N, 015° 14' E

• POB: 2 adults, 1 child

  
  

Card 3: Man Overboard (MAYDAY)

• Vessel: STARLIGHT (Call Sign: Sierra-Tango-Niner-One)

• Emergency: Man overboard in rough seas. Lost sight of the person.

• Position: 42° 50' N, 017° 10' E

• POB: 3 adults remaining on board (1 in the water)

  
  

Card 4: The Routine Check (Marina)

• Vessel: MOONLIGHT (Call Sign: Mike-Lima-Eight-Eight)

• Situation: Approaching the harbor. Need a visitor's berth for the night. (Test: Do they know NOT to use Mayday/Pan-Pan here?)

• Action: Call "Port Control" on a working channel.

  
  

The Boss Card: COAST GUARD

Hand this to the instructor or the most experienced sailor.

• Acknowledge: "MAYDAY, [Vessel Name]. This is Coast Guard. Received your Mayday."

• Interrogate (If they forgot details): "Captain, please repeat your exact position, over." or "Confirm number of persons on board, over."

• Action: "Helicopter deployed. ETA 15 minutes. Stand by on Channel 16."

  
  

Why This Game Matters

Training your crew with this game is essential. It builds confidence and ensures everyone knows their role in an emergency. The VHF Radio Game is not just a fun exercise; it could be a lifesaver.

Ready to train your crew? Save this page, screenshot the cheat sheets, and try it on your next charter. It guarantees a few laughs and might just save your life.

Want more practical sailing tips?

Check out our full guide on *Mastering Your VHF Radio here