VOLUME I Multinational Maritime Tactical Instructions and Procedures

MTP 1(D), Vol. I
c. Pilot Voice Report. If possible, the pilot of an aircraft requiring an emergency landing is to
inform the ship with which he is in communication as to the nature of the trouble. He must state whether he
requires an IMMEDIATE or DEFERRED emergency landing and whether or not he can take a wave-off.
The pilot is then to furnish such amplifying information as conditions permit or require.
d. Minimum Voice Transmission During Aircraft Emergencies. Voice transmission
should be clear, concise, and kept to a minimum consistent with safety. Aircraft and ships not concerned in
the emergency must keep silent on the frequencies in use for the emergency.
e. Maximum Use of Visual Signals. During a landing with radio failure or lost
communications, the use of appropriate visual signals is mandatory. To expedite landings the visual
signals in Tables 6-11, 6-12, and 6-13 are to be used by NORDO aircraft and ships involved. The same
signals will be used by NORDO aircraft which are additionally in distress.
f. Establishing Visual Contact. The aircraft in distress and the ship should establish visual
contact with each other as far in advance of the emergency landing as is practicable. When initial visual
contact is to be made with the rendezvous destroyer or other ship, the aircraft in distress should start
signaling as soon as it approaches within reasonable visual range of the ship.
g. MAYDAY. The international distress call MAYDAY should only be used when an aircraft is
threatened by serious and imminent danger and is in need of immediate assistance.
6603 RESCUE OPERATIONS
A destroyer or helicopter (or both) should be assigned for rescue duties to a ship operating aircraft.
Any ship or aircraft is to report immediately if it sees an aircraft land in the sea. The parent ship is to inform
the rescuing ship or helicopter as to the number of men in the aircraft. Rescue operations are carried out as
described in the following paragraphs.
a. Rescue Destroyers.
(1) During daylight operations when rescue helicopters are not available or need to be augmented,
rescue destroyers may be assigned to ships operating aircraft. These rescue destroyers shall be stationed
at distances from the ship operating aircraft and on bearings relative to the flight operations course with
the exception of rescue destroyer stations 2SNX and 3SNX which are based on bearings relative to the
course of the ship operating aircraft. Rescue destroyer stations are as shown in Figure 6-8 and are also
listed in Table 6-14.
(2) Slide-back techniques in station 1SN may be used whenever speeds in excess of 22 knots are required.
The use of the slide-back technique must be specifically authorized by the OTC.
(3) At night, rescue destroyers may be assigned the additional function of acting as reference ships
to indicate the horizon for takeoff and the landing pattern for recovery operations. Rescue destroyers
shall conform to the lighting measures in force at all time.
(4) If it is desired that the rescue destroyers have more boiler power than that required for screening
operations, the OTC shall so advise. Rescue destroyers are to have boats manned and ready for lowering
while flight operations are in progress.
(5) After flight operations, rescue destroyers are to remain with the designated ship until released
by her.
6-77 ORIGINAL