"Mayday, Mayday, this is the Nique", then silence.

A moment later, "Mayday, Mayday, this is the Nique".

The Coast Guard responded, "Vessel Nique, this is Coast Guard Station Lake Worth, please state your position and the nature of your emergency."

The request was met with silence. Could the boat have gone down that quickly?

I was in a high speed Sea Tow towboat on the west side of Peanut Island, less than a half a mile from the inlet. As soon as I heard the initial call, I headed out, violating (don't tell anyone) the slow speed zone.

The Coast Guard again, "Vessel Nique, Coast Guard Station Lake Worth. Please state your position and the nature of your emergency."

Finally, a response, "Coast Guard, I'm out by the sea buoy. My engine won't start. I've got my sails up but am going to need some help getting through the inlet."

At that moment, a collective look of disgust clouded the face of every knowledgeable boater who had been standing by to respond, if needed, to the emergency. One can only imagine the comments that erupted from the Coast Guard Response team, the Florida Marine Patrol, the sheriff's Boats and the local police boats.

I arrived on scene within two minutes of the initial call, expecting to find a group of six-packed sailors. I found, instead, three men in their fifties and sixties on a thirty five foot sloop, whose only fault was a lack of knowledge of proper VHF radio procedures. The skipper's intentions were right on target - his decision a wise one. With an outgoing tide, variable winds and heavy boat traffic, attempting to sail through the inlet without auxiliary power could have placed his vessel and passengers in jeopardy. But his use of a MAYDAY call was an example of ignorance and inexperience (and could have subjected him to a $10.000.00 fine.)

A VHF radio is one of the most important tools on board a boat. Like any other tool, however, there are right ways and wrong ways to use it. The quickest way to determine the competence of a boater is not by his docking abilities but by his use of the radio. A professional will never abuse the VHF frequencies. He knows only too well that someone's life may depend on his ability to communicate.

Let's review some VHF radio procedures and techniques:

MAYDAY Calls - Mayday calls are reserved for situations in which "there is immediate risk of loss of property or life". In other words, if your vessel is sinking or on fire or if someone on board is seriously injured or ill, issue a MAYDAY call. MAYDAY calls are distress calls of the highest urgency. The procedure is simple. Say MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY; this is the vessel ___________, I repeat this is the _________, again the ________ (state the name of your vessel three times). State your call sign. Then begin your message. Say "Mayday, the vessel ___________, state your position (preferably latitude and longitude or by geographical reference), the nature of your emergency, a description of your vessel and the number of people on board your boat. Say again the name of your vessel and your call sign. Stay calm and speak slowly. Then UNKEY the microphone (release the button) and wait for a response. If you get no response after a minute or so, repeat the entire broadcast. If you still get no response, consider the possibility that your radio is not working and be prepared to use flares and other distress signals to solicit help. Use that minute wisely. Get life jackets on everyone, gather emergency supplies, get your flares and any other signaling devices ready and STAY CALM - you, as Captain, need to set the example for your passengers