What does Pan Pan mean?

• A. Urgent Message, safety of a ship, aircraft or other vehicle, or person
• B. Distress call
• C. Medical assistance
• D. Routine weather

Answer: (A)

Pan Pan signals an urgent situation related to safety that needs prompt assistance, but it isn’t life-threatening at once. It sits between routine communications and a Mayday call, indicating that something about the vessel, aircraft, or person’s safety requires action soon, though there is time to coordinate help. Use of Pan Pan covers issues like mechanical trouble, navigation or steering problems, fuel concerns, or a medical issue that is urgent but not an immediate, life-threatening emergency. When you hear Pan Pan, you should acknowledge, state your position and the exact nature of the urgency, and indicate what assistance is needed. This is distinct from a distress call (Mayday), which is reserved for situations where there is imminent danger to life. Routine weather or non-emergency messages do not require the urgent safety signal.