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While watching the ever famous Deadliest Catch, I heard several times the Coast Guard begin an emergency hail with the term, Pon Pon, Pon pon, Pon pon. What the helk does that mean???? Ive googled it and I cant come up with an origin or reason for the saying. Any of you old salts know the reasoning???

I think the term is actually " PAN,PAN "x3

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pan-pan

It means attention, the following message is important. Also shut up.
That's what the Sea School book says anyway.

PON PON is also PAN PAN( panic?). It is less than an emergency, but a hail that you MAY be in trouble....

Example: PON PON, This is Dubble Trubble with a stalled engine. Location (coordinates).

Coast Guard will ask if you need help, and you would say "Not at this time, We think it is a dirty filter, and are changing it now."


It is hardly ever used by general public, because us REAL men will wait till we are almost under water to call for help (Then it is Mayday Mayday!)

Coast Guard uses it to let people know of a boat location that may be in trouble, I have also heard them use it when weather is approaching.


Not to be confused with POON POON, which can be about 2 different things, both having a fishy odor.

Dubble

You are all close. It is actually pond pond pond pond.........meaning everybody on the big pond pay attention to what is being said.

Dubble nailed it. It is basically the step below, mayday.