<P> The SMCP were adopted by the 22nd Assembly of the IMO in November 2001 in a resolution which also promoted the wide circulation of the SMCP to all prospective users and all maritime education authorities . </P> <P> The SMCP includes phrases which have been developed to cover the most important safety - related fields of verbal shore - to - ship (and vice versa), ship - to - ship and on - board communications . The aim is to reduce the problem of language barriers at sea and avoid misunderstandings which can cause accidents . </P> <Ul> <Li> To describe an unmanned and abandoned ship floating adrift, the SMCP gives the correct phrase as, "unlit derelict vessel adrift in vicinity (date, time and position if known)" </Li> <Li> Being stuck in ice and requesting assistance: "I am fast in ice . I require assistance". </Li> <Li> Damage to vessel by ice: "I have developed stability problems, heavy icing . Request ice breaker assistance". </Li> <Li> Ship is sinking: "I am sinking . Please proceed to my assistance . What is your ETA at our distress position?" </Li> </Ul> <Li> To describe an unmanned and abandoned ship floating adrift, the SMCP gives the correct phrase as, "unlit derelict vessel adrift in vicinity (date, time and position if known)" </Li>

When should the imo's smcp be used