SOS & Maritime Safety
Priority-ordered distress calls, DSC guidance, and an incident log designed for clear action under pressure.
Voice distress
MAYDAY, PAN-PAN, MOB and more.
VHF Channel 16
156.8 MHz distress traffic guidance.
Incident log
Track and clear onboard alerts.
Voice Distress Calls
Do Not Depart When Risk Is Rising
Stay in port when thunderstorms, lightning, fast-building gusts, poor visibility, steep confused seas, unsafe tide windows, equipment faults, or crew fatigue make recovery harder than departure.
Before You Sail
Quick Pre-Departure Checklist
Check current forecast, wind, waves, visibility, and tide windows.
Confirm route, alternates, fuel range, and safe return point.
Brief every passenger on life jackets, VHF, MOB, and fire response.
Inspect bilge, engine, steering, batteries, navigation lights, and anchor.
Confirm flares, first aid, EPIRB/PLB, VHF, and throwable flotation are reachable.
Share your float plan, ETA, crew count, and emergency contact ashore.
Emergency action cards
Know the First Moves
MOB
- • Shout and point
- • Throw flotation
- • Mark GPS
- • Call MAYDAY if needed
Fire
- • Stop fuel/engine
- • Use correct extinguisher
- • Move crew upwind
- • Prepare MAYDAY
Collision
- • Check injuries
- • Assess flooding
- • Broadcast position
- • Prepare abandon-ship kit
Engine failure
- • Control drift
- • Check fuel/cooling
- • Deploy anchor if needed
- • Send PAN-PAN
Severe weather
- • Life jackets on
- • Reef/slow down
- • Secure deck
- • Head to safe shelter
Safety equipment required
Match Gear to Trip Distance
Day trip / protected water
Life jackets, throwable flotation, VHF/phone, anchor, first aid, bilge pump, navigation lights.
Coastal trip
Add flares, sound signal, spare fuel, tool kit, charts/offline map, tow line, emergency water.
Offshore / night passage
Add EPIRB/PLB, liferaft, harnesses, jacklines, radar reflector, backup GPS, full distress kit.
First 60 seconds
Take Control Fast
- 1Stop, breathe, and put one person in command.
- 2Protect people first: life jackets, headcount, injuries, and MOB watch.
- 3Stabilize the boat: reduce speed, stop fuel/electrics if needed, control flooding/fire.
- 4Mark position and send the correct call: MAYDAY, PAN-PAN, or SÉCURITÉ.
- 5Prepare recovery, shelter, tow, or abandon-ship actions before conditions worsen.
Short explainers
Core Safety Gear Basics
Flares
Use only when a rescue vessel or aircraft can see you; keep them dry and within reach.
VHF Mayday
Call on Channel 16 with vessel name, position, distress type, people aboard, and assistance needed.
Life jackets
Wear them before risk rises; assign properly fitted jackets to every person before departure.
EPIRB
Activate during grave distress when you need satellite rescue alerting; keep it with people, not the boat.
Bilge pumps
Test automatic and manual pumps before leaving and know where the switches and strainers are.
Last updated: 24 June 2026. Use this page as a planning aid, not a replacement for official coast guard rules, local regulations, vessel manuals, certified training, or skipper judgment.
Sources: COLREGs principles, standard VHF distress procedures, coastal safety guidance, and manufacturer equipment instructions.
- ›Stations must maintain silence during MAYDAY unless assisting
- ›Distress calls can be relayed if not acknowledged
- ›False distress calls are a serious legal violation
- ›All distress traffic is handled on VHF Channel 16
Your emergency location
37.290981, -121.890414
Latitude / Longitude · accuracy about 2782023 m
Digital Distress (DSC)
Incident Log
All Clear — No incidents recorded