Safety Boat Radio Calls That Work

Clarity, Calm, and Communication on the Water

In the chaos of a capsized boat, a drifting mark, or a sudden squall, your best tool (after your lifejacket) is a clear radio call. But shouting “Help!” into a crackly handheld won’t cut it.

Effective radio comms on the river — especially at busy club events — can save time, prevent confusion, and make sure everyone stays safe.

Here’s how we do it at pmrsailing.uk and Upper Thames Sailing Club.

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1. Keep It Short and Clear

Use simple, unambiguous phrases. Speak slowly. Repeat the key part.

❌ “Er… I think one of the boats is maybe sort of stuck on the bank.”
✅ “Whaly 2 to Race Officer: Capsize near upstream mark. Boat upright. All crew safe.”

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2. Always Say Who You Are First

Lead with your boat or role:

“T8 to T4…”
“Whaly to Box…”
“Mark boat to Race Control…”

This avoids the dreaded “Who’s that speaking?” when time is short.

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3. Use Standard Phrases

• “Capsize at [location].”

• “Crew safe and with boat.”

• “Request support / assistance.”

• “Mark has drifted.”

• “Race abandoned.”

• “Returning to base.”

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4. Confirm When a Message is Received

Always close the loop:

“Copy that, T8. Proceed to the upstream mark.”

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5. Know When Not to Speak

If the fleet is racing, keep the airwaves clear. Wait, unless it’s urgent. And don’t use the radio to narrate the race!

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Example Good Call:

“Whaly to Box: Lightning capsize, 50m above top mark. One sailor in water. Boat upright. T4 assisting.”

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A calm, informative call keeps everyone on the same page — and helps the Race Officer or shore team make smart decisions quickly.