What should vessels do if they receive a mayday call?

When a vessel receives a mayday call, the most responsible action is to notify local authorities of the call. A mayday call indicates a critical emergency situation where a vessel or individual is in imminent danger and requires immediate assistance. By notifying local authorities, the vessel ensures that the appropriate search and rescue resources can be dispatched quickly to the location where the distress is occurring.

The local authorities have the resources and coordination capabilities to manage such emergencies effectively, ensuring a rapid and organized response. They can also relay the information to other vessels in the vicinity and organize further assistance. This action aligns with the protocols established under maritime distress signals as outlined in international maritime regulations, ensuring that any emergency situation is addressed as efficiently as possible.

In contexts like this, it's crucial for responding vessels to prioritize communication with high command operations rather than rushing directly to the coordinates or simply assuring the caller of help without formal coordination, which could lead to chaos and inadequate response efforts.