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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