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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 emergencyAn Emergency Position indicating Radio is recommended for all boats that travel into open waters

  • 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.

 The front page of the Coast Guard smart phone application

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 

 Tools and techniques that can be used to signal distress 

 

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 

This map shows where our local Coast Guard station is located