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Note: Some of the parts of the site are under construction as of April 2025. We are looking to improving the site for clarity and a source of information for all boaters alike. Information is subject to change. Stay tuned!
Links from these pages to non-Coast Guard sites are provided as a customer service and do not represent any implicit or explicit endorsement by the United States Coast Guard of any commercial or private issue or products presented here.
🚨 EMERGENCY: CALL 911 FIRST
- For any life-threatening marine, fire, police, or medical emergency on the water or shore, dial 911 immediately from any phone. This will connect you to local emergency responders and the Coast Guard as required.
- VHF Channel 16 (156.800 MHz): Coast Guard Emergency & Hailing – always monitored on the water
- VHF Channel 70 (156.525 MHz): DSC Digital Distress (for radios with DSC)
- U.S. Coast Guard 24-Hour Emergency: (800) 246-7236
-
California State Parks Emergency:
911 (anywhere in the park system)
If 911 does not connect: (916) 358-1310 (Ranger/Public Safety) - San Mateo County Parks Emergency: 911 (in any county park)
- National Response Center (Pollution, Hazmat): 1-800-424-8802
- South San Francisco Fire/Police (EMERGENCY): 911
Tip: Marine VHF radio (Ch. 16) is the fastest emergency contact on the water. Cell phone backup is useful for shore or inland emergencies.
📞 Non-Emergency & Resource Contacts
- California State Parks Northern Dispatch (24/7): (916) 358-1300 (public safety, hazards, ranger business)
- San Mateo County Parks Main Office: (650) 363-4020 (hazards, ranger contact, after-hours issues)
- General Info & Facility Issues (SMC Parks): [email protected]
- USCG Sector SF General Inquiries & Command Center: (415) 399-7300
- USCG Sector SF Vessel Traffic Service Ops: (415) 399-7410
- South San Francisco Police (Non-Emergency): (650) 877-8900
- South San Francisco Fire (Non-Emergency): (650) 829-3950
San Francisco Bay Area Marine Radio Safety Frequencies
Essential Marine VHF Channels
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Use / Notes | QR Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | 156.800 | International Distress, Safety, and Calling. Monitored by Coast Guard 24/7. Use for emergencies and hailing only. |
|
| 09 | 156.450 | Hailing, marinas, bridges, drawbridges (Delta bridges monitor Ch. 9) | |
| 13 | 156.650 | Navigation safety, ship-to-ship, tugs, pilots, bridge-to-bridge | |
| 12 | 156.600 | Vessel Traffic Service (VTS) Offshore Sector | |
| 14 | 156.700 | VTS Inshore Sector | |
| 22A | 157.100 | US Coast Guard Liaison, Safety Broadcasts (announced on Ch. 16) | |
| 70 | 156.525 | Digital Selective Calling (DSC) – emergency digital distress only, no voice | |
| 68, 69, 71, 72, 78A | 156.425, 156.475, 156.575, 156.625, 156.925 | Non-commercial, recreational, intership use |
For detailed U.S. VHF channel information, visit the USCG Navigation Center.
NOAA Weather Radio Channels (Bay Area)
| Channel | Frequency (MHz) | Transmitter / Area (Call Sign) | QR Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| WX1 | 162.550 | Mt. Umunhum (Monterey/South Bay) (KEC49) |
|
| WX2 | 162.400 | San Francisco (KHB49) | |
| WX3 | 162.475 | Sonoma County (WZ2504) | |
| WX4 | 162.425 | Mt. Diablo (Contra Costa County) (WNG655) | |
| WX5 | 162.450 | Mt. Umunhum (Monterey Marine) (WWF64) | |
| WX6 | 162.500 | Big Rock Ridge (N. SF Bay) (KDX54) |
For more specific transmitter information by location, you can also use the NOAA NWR Station Search.
HF/SSB & Other Safety Frequencies
| Service | Frequency (MHz) | Use | QR Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| USCG Distress (HF/SSB) | 4.125, 6.215, 8.291, 12.290 | Coast Guard monitored for long-range distress |
|
| West Coast Weather | 13.282 | Weather broadcasts (HF) |
For detailed MF & HF channel information, visit the USCG Navigation Center.
Tip: Print this page and keep it on your boat for quick access to emergency and safety radio frequencies. For best QR code scanning, print in color and ensure each code is at least 1 inch wide.