People in an emergency and need of Coast Guard assistance should use: VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), dial 911.

By it's very nature with boating, when you most need assistance, you may not be in a place where it is easy to contact people who can help.  For that reason it is critical that you have equipment that facilitate your call for assistance.  This topic is a priority discussion in our Boating Safety and assessed with our Vessel Safety Checks. 

Equipment very useful in an emergency

• USCGSmartPhone Application 
• VHF-FM Radio
• Fog Horn
• EPIRB - Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon
• Flairs
• Dye
• Flags
• Smoke bombs

The image above and to the right illustrates an EPIRB of Emergency Position-Indicating Radio Beacon.  It is perhaps the most important devise to have on board in the case on an emergency.  Below are details: 

An EPIRB, is a type of radio distress beacon. These devices help alert rescue services of an emergency by transmitting a distress signal via satellite. They can be operated manually or set to operate automatically in an emergency.

EPIRB is a safety device carried by a vessel to alert search and rescue services, allowing them to quickly locate you in the event of an emergency. When activated it transmits a coded message on the 406 MHz distress frequency which is monitored by the COSPAS-SARSAT satellite system.

SmartPhone Application

The USCG Smartphone Application has pre-programmed information that will assist you obtain assistance, if needed.

In case of a non life threatening event (such as a breakdown) 

In the event of a breakdown, boaters have a number of private companies that will provide assistance. These companies can be contacted via phone or smart phone application.  

• Sea Tow - 800-4-SEATOW
• BoatUS 800-391-4869 or hail Boat-US on Channel 16 

In case electronic communications do not work

There are a number of ways to signal distress if there are other vessels that are close enough to observe your signal and respond.  These methods are: 

 Traveling toward assistance

Depending on the nature of your emergency, you may want to move toward assistance.  In the case of an injury, you should travel toward a hospital, while you are signaling for assistance.  

• Seventh District Command Center Number: (305) 415-6800 - For maritime emergency use only
• USCG Station Cortez - 4530 124th St Ct W, Bradenton, FL 34209 - (941) 794-1607