SMCP trainer
All 435 speakable phrases from the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases, every one with a recording. The voices are different on purpose: British, Filipino, Indian, Ukrainian and Polish accents, because that is what a real VHF channel sounds like. Pick a section, listen, repeat aloud. For self-testing, hide the text and check yourself by ear, the way the Marlins listening section will.
Why a separate phrase book exists
Everyday English is fine for conversation. It is not fine where two people from different countries must be certain they understand the same thing: on the bridge, over the radio, during manoeuvres. So the IMO wrote a set of phrases where every sentence means exactly one thing. Here you can hear them and drill them.
Two ways to work: listen and read (text in front of you, click and repeat aloud), or listening practice (hide the text, play phrases in random order, tap a phrase to reveal it). No play limits, no score: this is ear training, not a test.
- How do you read me? Shelley · British accent
- I read you excellent, with signal strength five. James · British accent
- I read you good, with signal strength four. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- I read you fair, with signal strength three. Shelley · British accent
- I read you poor, with signal strength two. James · British accent
- I read you bad, with signal strength one. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Stand by on VHF Channel one six. Shelley · British accent
- Standing by on VHF Channel one six. James · British accent
- Advise you change to VHF Channel one two. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Changing to VHF Channel one two. Shelley · British accent
- Say again, please. James · British accent
- I say again. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Mistake. Correction, my present speed is twelve knots. Shelley · British accent
- I am ready to receive your message. James · British accent
- I am not ready to receive your message. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Stand by, I will call you back in five minutes. Shelley · British accent
- No information. James · British accent
- INSTRUCTION. Do not cross the fairway. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- ADVICE. Advise you stand by on VHF Channel six nine. Shelley · British accent
- WARNING. Uncharted rocks ahead. James · British accent
- INFORMATION. Two vessels are leaving the fairway. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- QUESTION. What is your present speed? Shelley · British accent
- ANSWER. My present speed is twelve knots. James · British accent
- REQUEST. I require a tug. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- INTENTION. I will overtake you on your port side. Shelley · British accent
- I will not overtake the vessel north of me. James · British accent
- Numbers are spoken in separate digits. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Over. Shelley · British accent
- Out. James · British accent
- Midships. James · British accent
- Port five. Manav · Indian accent
- Port ten. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Port fifteen. James · British accent
- Port twenty. Manav · Indian accent
- Port twenty-five. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Starboard five. James · British accent
- Starboard ten. Manav · Indian accent
- Starboard fifteen. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Starboard twenty. James · British accent
- Starboard twenty-five. Manav · Indian accent
- Hard-a-port. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Hard-a-starboard. James · British accent
- Nothing to port. Manav · Indian accent
- Nothing to starboard. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Meet her. James · British accent
- Steady. Manav · Indian accent
- Ease to five. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Ease to ten. James · British accent
- Ease to fifteen. Manav · Indian accent
- Ease to twenty. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Steady as she goes. James · British accent
- Keep the buoy on port side. Manav · Indian accent
- Keep the beacon on starboard side. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Report if she does not answer the wheel. James · British accent
- Finished with wheel, no more steering. Manav · Indian accent
- What is your heading? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- My heading is one eight two degrees. James · British accent
- Port, steer one eight two. Manav · Indian accent
- Starboard, steer zero eight two. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Port, steer three zero five. James · British accent
- Steady on one eight two. Manav · Indian accent
- Steer on the buoy. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Steer on the beacon. James · British accent
- Full ahead. James · British accent
- Full astern. Shelley · British accent
- Half ahead. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Half astern. James · British accent
- Slow ahead. Shelley · British accent
- Slow astern. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Dead slow ahead. James · British accent
- Dead slow astern. Shelley · British accent
- Stop engines. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Emergency full ahead. James · British accent
- Emergency full astern. Shelley · British accent
- Stand by engine. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Finished with engines, no more manoeuvring. James · British accent
- Full ahead both. Shelley · British accent
- Slow astern both. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Stop all engines. James · British accent
- Full ahead starboard. Shelley · British accent
- Half astern port. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Bow thruster full to port. James · British accent
- Bow thruster half to starboard. Shelley · British accent
- Stern thruster full to port. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Stern thruster half to starboard. James · British accent
- Bow thruster stop. Shelley · British accent
- Stern thruster stop. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- We use the towing line of your vessel. Manav · Indian accent
- We use the towing line of the tug. Juan · Filipino accent
- Stand by for making fast the tug. James · British accent
- Send heaving line to the tug. Manav · Indian accent
- Send two towing lines to the tugs. Juan · Filipino accent
- Slack away towing line. James · British accent
- Make fast the tug. Manav · Indian accent
- Put the eyes of the towing line on bitts. Juan · Filipino accent
- Keep clear of towing line. James · British accent
- Stand by for letting go the tug. Manav · Indian accent
- Let go the tug. Juan · Filipino accent
- Towing line is broken. James · British accent
- Is the propeller clear? Manav · Indian accent
- Yes, the propeller is clear. Juan · Filipino accent
- No, the propeller is not clear. James · British accent
- Keep the propeller clear. Manav · Indian accent
- Are fenders on the berth? Juan · Filipino accent
- Yes, fenders are on the berth. James · British accent
- No, fenders are not on the berth. Manav · Indian accent
- Have fenders ready fore and aft. Juan · Filipino accent
- Do you have tension winches? James · British accent
- No, we do not have tension winches. Manav · Indian accent
- Have the heaving lines ready forward and aft. Juan · Filipino accent
- Send the heaving line ashore. James · British accent
- Heave away. Manav · Indian accent
- Heave in easy. Juan · Filipino accent
- Heave alongside. James · British accent
- We are in position. Manav · Indian accent
- Make fast fore and aft. Juan · Filipino accent
- Finished with manoeuvring stations. James · British accent
- Stand by engine. Manav · Indian accent
- Are you ready to get underway? Juan · Filipino accent
- Stand by for letting go. James · British accent
- Let go the towing line. Manav · Indian accent
- Stand by bow anchor. Juan · Filipino accent
- Stand by port anchor for letting go. Manav · Indian accent
- Walk out the anchor. James · British accent
- We are going to anchorage. Juan · Filipino accent
- We will let go port anchor. Manav · Indian accent
- Walk back port anchor one and a half shackles. James · British accent
- Let go port anchor. Juan · Filipino accent
- Slack out the cable. Manav · Indian accent
- Check the cable. James · British accent
- Hold on the port cable. Juan · Filipino accent
- How is the cable leading? Manav · Indian accent
- How is the cable growing? James · British accent
- Is the anchor holding? Juan · Filipino accent
- Yes, the anchor is holding. Manav · Indian accent
- No, the anchor is not holding. James · British accent
- Is she brought up? Juan · Filipino accent
- Switch on the anchor light. Manav · Indian accent
- Hoist the anchor ball. James · British accent
- How much cable is out? Juan · Filipino accent
- Stand by for heaving up. Manav · Indian accent
- Put the windlass in gear. James · British accent
- Heave up port cable. Juan · Filipino accent
- How much weight is on the cable? Manav · Indian accent
- No weight is on the cable. James · British accent
- Stop heaving. Juan · Filipino accent
- A vessel is crossing from port side. James · British accent
- A vessel is crossing from starboard side. Shelley · British accent
- I will complete the manoeuvre. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Attention. There are dangerous targets on the radar. James · British accent
- GPS is not in operation. Shelley · British accent
- Navigation lights are switched on. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- DSC frequency two one eight seven decimal five kilohertz is switched on. James · British accent
- NAVTEX is switched on. Shelley · British accent
- Automatic fog signal is switched on. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Take notice of changes in the standing orders. James · British accent
- Do you understand the standing orders? Shelley · British accent
- Yes, I understand the standing orders. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- No, I do not understand, please explain. James · British accent
- Read the standing orders. Shelley · British accent
- Everything is in order. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- We require a further generator to operate an additional pump. James · British accent
- You have the watch now. Shelley · British accent
- I have the watch now. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What is the name of your vessel and call sign? Shelley · British accent
- Spell the name of your vessel. James · British accent
- What is your flag State? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- From what direction are you approaching? Shelley · British accent
- What is your port of destination? James · British accent
- What was your last port of call? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What is your draft forward? Shelley · British accent
- What is your present maximum draft? James · British accent
- What is your freeboard? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What is your air draft? Shelley · British accent
- Are you underway? James · British accent
- Yes, I am underway. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- No, I am not underway. Shelley · British accent
- I am ready to get underway. James · British accent
- What is your full manoeuvring speed? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What is your cargo? Shelley · British accent
- Do you carry any dangerous goods? James · British accent
- No, I do not carry any dangerous goods. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Do you have any deficiencies? Shelley · British accent
- No, I have no deficiencies. James · British accent
- Do you have any list? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- No, I have no list. Shelley · British accent
- Are you on even keel? James · British accent
- Yes, I am on even keel. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- No, I am trimmed by the head. Shelley · British accent
- Cancel one hour after time of restoration. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Wind is backing and increasing. Shelley · British accent
- Is shore based radar assistance available? James · British accent
- Yes, shore based radar assistance is available. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- No, shore based radar assistance is not available. Shelley · British accent
- Yes, I require navigational assistance. James · British accent
- No, I do not require navigational assistance. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- How was your position obtained? Shelley · British accent
- Repeat your position for identification. James · British accent
- I have located you on my radar screen. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- I cannot locate you on my radar screen. Shelley · British accent
- What is the course to reach you? James · British accent
- Is your radar in operation? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Yes, my radar is in operation. Shelley · British accent
- No, my radar is not in operation. James · British accent
- What range scale are you using? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Change to a larger range scale. Shelley · British accent
- You are leaving my radar screen. James · British accent
- I have lost radar contact. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What is your present course? Shelley · British accent
- You are steering a dangerous course. James · British accent
- Have you altered course? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Proceed to the emergency anchorage. Shelley · British accent
- Anchoring is prohibited. James · British accent
- Stand by pilot ladder. Manav · Indian accent
- What is wrong with the pilot ladder? James · British accent
- Rig the accommodation ladder in combination with the pilot ladder. Shelley · British accent
- Rig the pilot ladder alongside hoist. Historic phrase from the 2001 resolution: mechanical pilot hoists have been banned in SOLAS practice since 2012. Kept for reference only. Manav · Indian accent
- Put lights on at the pilot ladder. James · British accent
- Have a heaving line ready at the pilot ladder. Shelley · British accent
- Correct the list of the vessel. Manav · Indian accent
- Stop engine until pilot boat is clear. James · British accent
- Put helm hard to port. Shelley · British accent
- Put engine ahead. Manav · Indian accent
- Embarkation is not possible. James · British accent
- Vessel is not suited for the pilot ladder. Shelley · British accent
- Must I take tug? Manav · Indian accent
- No, you need not take tug. James · British accent
- Must I use the towing lines of my vessel? Shelley · British accent
- I require a helicopter. Manav · Indian accent
- Yes, I am ready for the helicopter. James · British accent
- Yes, you can land on deck. Shelley · British accent
- I am ready to receive you. Manav · Indian accent
- Go ahead and follow me. James · British accent
- Do not follow me. Shelley · British accent
- Proceed along the ice channel. Manav · Indian accent
- Increase your speed. James · British accent
- Reverse your engines. Shelley · British accent
- Stop engines. Manav · Indian accent
- Stand by for receiving towing line. James · British accent
- Stand by for letting go towing line. Shelley · British accent
- Switch on the bow search light. Manav · Indian accent
- Stop in present position. James · British accent
- Ice-breaker assistance for convoy finished. Shelley · British accent
- Light ice conditions ahead. Manav · Indian accent
- Stand by for close-coupled towing. James · British accent
- What is the latest gale warning? Shelley · British accent
- What is the latest tropical storm warning? James · British accent
- What maximum winds are expected in the storm area? Shelley · British accent
- Visibility is increasing. James · British accent
- What is the latest ice information? Shelley · British accent
- Wait until high water. James · British accent
- Wide berth requested. Shelley · British accent
- Avoid this area, no possibility for vessels to turn. James · British accent
- Is fishing gear ahead of me? Shelley · British accent
- No fishing gear ahead of you. James · British accent
- Fishing gear has fouled my propeller. Shelley · British accent
- You have caught my fishing gear. James · British accent
- Advise you to recover your fishing gear. Shelley · British accent
- Stay in vicinity of pollution and co-operate with oil clearance team. James · British accent
- Can you identify the polluter? Shelley · British accent
- No, I cannot identify the polluter. James · British accent
- What is course and speed of the polluter? Shelley · British accent
- Operate the general emergency alarm. James · British accent
- Transmit a SECURITE alert and report. Manav · Indian accent
- A SECURITE alert was transmitted. Juan · Filipino accent
- Was the distress alert acknowledged? Shelley · British accent
- Repeat the distress alert. James · British accent
- Watchkeepers remain at stations until further order. Juan · Filipino accent
- Fire fighting teams are fighting the fire. Shelley · British accent
- We also have radio contact with other vessels. James · British accent
- Close all openings. Manav · Indian accent
- Take lifejackets with you. Juan · Filipino accent
- Take your emergency equipment with you according to the muster list. Shelley · British accent
- Stand by fire fighting stations and report. James · British accent
- Fire fighting stations are standing by. Manav · Indian accent
- Follow the escape routes shown. Juan · Filipino accent
- Check the escape routes and report. Shelley · British accent
- Check the launching tracks and report. James · British accent
- Check the working parts and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Check the securings of the launching appliances and report. Juan · Filipino accent
- Correct the position of the securing. Shelley · British accent
- Replace the harbour pin. Manav · Indian accent
- Check the fuel of the lifeboat engine and report. Juan · Filipino accent
- Fill up fuel. Shelley · British accent
- Fill up oil. James · British accent
- Operate the lifeboat engine and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Check the bilge pumps of the lifeboats and report. Juan · Filipino accent
- Check the drain plugs and report. Shelley · British accent
- Replace the drain plug. James · British accent
- Check the slip gear in the lifeboats and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Correct the position of the slip gear. Juan · Filipino accent
- Secure the slip gear. Shelley · British accent
- Check the lifeboat equipment and report. James · British accent
- Secure the lifeboat and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Lifeboat is secured. Juan · Filipino accent
- Check the liferafts and report. Shelley · British accent
- Secure the inflation cord. James · British accent
- Replace the liferaft container in the next port. Manav · Indian accent
- Replace the liferaft in the next port. Juan · Filipino accent
- Evacuate engine room and report. Shelley · British accent
- Engine room evacuated. James · British accent
- Evacuate superstructure and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Have a permanent fire watch. James · British accent
- Is everything in order? Manav · Indian accent
- Yes, everything is in order. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Check the fire alarm and report. James · British accent
- Check the portable extinguishers and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Replace the missing portable extinguisher. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Replace the portable extinguisher with broken inspection tag. James · British accent
- Check the fire mains and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Replace the worn hose. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Replace the missing hose. James · British accent
- Check the fixed foam fire extinguishing system and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Check the sprinkler system and report. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Check the ventilation system and report. James · British accent
- Clear the fire dampers. Manav · Indian accent
- Check the watertight door control and report. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Check the emergency power supply and report. James · British accent
- Check the firemen's outfits and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Complete the firemen's outfits. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Fire on board! James · British accent
- Smoke from ventilator. Manav · Indian accent
- What is on fire? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Is smoke toxic? James · British accent
- No, smoke not toxic. Manav · Indian accent
- Is fire under control? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- No damage. James · British accent
- Pressure on fire mains! Manav · Indian accent
- Stop fuel and report. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Fuel stopped. James · British accent
- Turn bow to windward. Manav · Indian accent
- Stand by main engine and report. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Main engine standing by. James · British accent
- Start fire fighting. Manav · Indian accent
- Have a lifeline between each other. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Have rescue team on stand-by. James · British accent
- Agree on retreat signal and report. Manav · Indian accent
- Run out fire hoses and report. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Prepare a training plan for occupational safety. Manav · Indian accent
- Are new crew members instructed on occupational safety? Juan · Filipino accent
- Yes, new crew members are instructed. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Participation in training sessions on occupational safety is mandatory. Manav · Indian accent
- Instruct crew on occupational safety before departure. Juan · Filipino accent
- Prepare an emergency plan. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What signals are used in case of emergency? Manav · Indian accent
- Brief all crew members on the storm. Juan · Filipino accent
- Attention! Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Make use of hand rails and lifelines in corridors and on deck. Manav · Indian accent
- Close all dead lights and storm doors. Juan · Filipino accent
- Occupational safety equipment is complete and available. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Appoint an officer in charge of safety before working. Manav · Indian accent
- No person injured. Juan · Filipino accent
- What happened? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Accident with cargo. Manav · Indian accent
- Take immediate action to recover injured person. Juan · Filipino accent
- Provide first aid. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Take immediate action to control the danger area. Manav · Indian accent
- No assistance is required. Juan · Filipino accent
- Medical assistance is required. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Shoreside assistance is required. Manav · Indian accent
- Secure the danger area and report. Juan · Filipino accent
- Prepare an accident report. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Are dangerous goods on fire? James · British accent
- Yes, dangerous goods are on fire. Shelley · British accent
- No, dangerous goods are not on fire. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Is there danger of explosion? Manav · Indian accent
- Yes, danger of explosion. James · British accent
- No danger of explosion. Shelley · British accent
- Is the fire under control? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Yes, fire is under control. Manav · Indian accent
- No, fire is not under control. James · British accent
- What kind of assistance is required? Shelley · British accent
- Report injured persons. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- No persons injured. Manav · Indian accent
- Flooding is under control. James · British accent
- Report damage. Shelley · British accent
- I cannot repair damage. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What part of your vessel is aground? Manav · Indian accent
- Aground forward. James · British accent
- I cannot establish which part is aground. Shelley · British accent
- Risk of grounding at low water. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Warning! Do not jettison IMO-Class cargo! Manav · Indian accent
- Can you continue search? James · British accent
- Yes, I can continue search. Shelley · British accent
- No, I cannot continue search. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Stop search. Manav · Indian accent
- Proceed with your voyage. James · British accent
- What is the result of search? Shelley · British accent
- What is condition of person? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Condition of person bad. Manav · Indian accent
- Person dead. James · British accent
- What is your MMSI number? Shelley · British accent
- What is your position? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What is your present course and speed? Manav · Indian accent
- Report number of persons on board. James · British accent
- Will you abandon vessel? Shelley · British accent
- I will not abandon vessel. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Is your EPIRB transmitting? Manav · Indian accent
- Yes, my EPIRB is transmitting. James · British accent
- Yes, my EPIRB is transmitting by mistake. Shelley · British accent
- Did you transmit a DSC distress alert? Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Yes, I transmitted a DSC alert. Manav · Indian accent
- Yes, I transmitted a DSC alert by mistake. James · British accent
- How many persons will stay on board? Shelley · British accent
- No person will stay on board. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- What is the weather situation in your position? Manav · Indian accent
- Visibility good. James · British accent
- Are there dangers to navigation? Shelley · British accent
- No dangers to navigation. Mihaylo · Ukrainian accent
- Vessel requires assistance. Manav · Indian accent
- Received your MAYDAY. James · British accent
- I will act as On-scene Co-ordinator. Shelley · British accent
- I have pleasure in informing you that all safety equipment is in full working order. Shelley · British accent
- Passengers are requested to read all notes and leaflets concerning safety regulations. James · British accent
- Remain calm when you hear the general emergency alarm. Juan · Filipino accent
- Always remember that fire is the greatest hazard aboard ship. Shelley · British accent
- Always act immediately if you detect fire or smell fumes or smoke. James · British accent
- Always inform a member of the crew if you detect fire or smell fumes or smoke. Juan · Filipino accent
- Be careful to extinguish cigarettes completely. Shelley · British accent
- Put used cigarettes in a container provided. James · British accent
- Never smoke in bed. Juan · Filipino accent
- Never smoke on deck except in areas labelled as smoking areas. Shelley · British accent
- Never throw a cigarette overboard. James · British accent
- Never use lighted candles. Juan · Filipino accent
- Never hang anything over or near an electric bulb. Shelley · British accent
- Attention please! Attention please! Juan · Filipino accent
- I repeat, this is your captain with an important announcement. Shelley · British accent
- Please follow the instructions given by the officers and crew. James · British accent
- We also have radio contact with other ships. Juan · Filipino accent
- As soon as I have further information I will make another announcement. Shelley · British accent
- I ask you kindly to remain calm. There is no danger at this time. James · British accent
- Do not go to the lifeboat stations until you are ordered to do so. Juan · Filipino accent
- Go to your lifeboat stations. Shelley · British accent
- Never let children climb or sit on the ship's rails. James · British accent
- Special lifejackets for children are available; please ask the steward. Juan · Filipino accent
The English phrases come from IMO resolution A.918(22), the IMO Standard Marine Communication Phrases. The catalogue covers the phrases that can be spoken in full; template phrases with blanks for a name, position or number stay in the resolution text. Voices are synthetic. New to SMCP? Start with the SMCP basics guide, then come back and train your ear. Free, and it stays free: safety knowledge never goes behind a paywall here.