People in an emergency and need of Coast Guard assistance should use: VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), dial 911 . For general inquiries call your nearest Coast Guard unit.
Do you call 999 for Coast Guard?
Who to call for help. If you find yourself in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble, you should call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard . If you are inland and see someone in difficulty on the water, be it on a river or a lake, you should ask for Fire and Rescue when you call for help.
Who do you call when your boat breaks down?
Just as you would on land, use your cell phone to call 911 or another water rescue authority in your area.
How do I report something to the Coast Guard?
Report What You Find to be Unusual!
First, call the National Response Center at 877-24WATCH . For immediate danger to life or property, call 911, or call the U. S. Coast Guard on Marine Channel 16.
Why does the Coast Guard say Pon Pon?
The radiotelephony message PAN-PAN is the international standard urgency signal that someone aboard a boat, ship, aircraft, or other vehicle uses to declare that they have a situation that is urgent, but for the time being, does not pose an immediate danger to anyone’s life or to the vessel itself.
Is Coastguard an emergency service?
HM Coastguard is the national maritime 999 service for search and rescue .
How do I call the Coast Guard by phone?
People in an emergency and need of Coast Guard assistance should use: VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), dial 911 .
How do you make a distress call at sea?
- Locate the DISTRESS button.
- Lift the cover.
- Press and hold the button until the radio “beeps”. ...
- Select the nature of your call (if your radio allows you to make this selection).
- Say loud and clearly “Mayday, Mayday, Mayday. ...
- Repeat three times. ...
- Repeat Mayday and your boat’s name once again.
What indicates an emergency aboard?
Pyrotechnic red flares , hand held or aerial. Pyrotechnic orange smoke, hand held or floating. Launchers for aerial red meteors or parachute flares.
What is the most effective way to issue a distress alert?
You can use a portable horn or whistle to signal distress by continuously sounding it in one minute intervals. You can also signal S.O.S. by sounding three short blasts, then three long blasts, followed by three short blasts.
How can I communicate with the Coast Guard?
Boater Calling Channel ( VHF Channel 9 )
The Federal Communications Commission established VHF-FM channel 9 as a supplementary calling channel for noncommercial vessels (recreational boaters) at the request of the Coast Guard.
What is the Coast Guard motto?
Semper Paratus – Always Ready . That is our Coast Guard motto. The Coast Guard is one of our nation’s five military services. We exist to defend and preserve the United States.
What happens if you call the Coast Guard?
The Coast Guard will send out a rescue boat (or, sometimes, a helicopter) in response to any Mayday call, or in special cases where your boat has a dangerous mechanical problem, where someone onboard has a serious medical problem, where the weather is worsening rapidly, or when it’s getting dark.
What does Pan Pan Pan stand for?
What are the other distress calls used? One popular emergency call is the Pan-pan, derived from the French word “panne” that means “ a breakdown “. It indicates an urgent situation such as a mechanical failure or a medical problem. A Pan-pan call is generally of a notch lower than a Mayday in terms of threat.
What is a pan pan girl?
‘Pan-pan’ is a derogatory term for street prostitutes who (mostly) served the soldiers of the occupying forces . ... When the RAA was closed down in 1946 due to the US concern over widespread VD, many of the women who lost their jobs went out on the street and became private and illegal prostitutes – the pan-pan girls.
Are coast guards armed?
Authority as an armed service
The Coast Guard as established January 28, 1915, shall be a military service and a branch of the armed forces of the United States at all times .
What’s the difference between coastguard and lifeboat?
From a range of backgrounds they all bring specialist skills to the team. A lifeboat will be tasked by the Coastguard if the incident involves a potential casualty in or on the water or if there is a need for eyes looking onto the shore from the water.
How do I contact the Coast Guard recruiter?
To find and contact a Coast Guard recruiter near you, go to the website gocoastguard.com where you can select your state from a menu on the left side of your screen. You can also contact a Coast Guard Recruiting Office by phone. Just call 1-877-669-8724 (1-877-NOW-USCG).
Do coastguards get paid?
As a volunteer you will not be paid . You can claim a small amount for your time and expenses.
What is the marine emergency channel?
However, channel 16 on your VHF radio is probably the most important. Channel 16 is designated as the national distress, safety and calling frequency. All vessels should monitor this channel while underway.
Does it cost money to call the Coast Guard?
The Coast Guard does not charge a fee to provide assistance to a boat at sea. Coast Guard fees are established by federal statute, and for the most part these fees are limited to documentation services, vessel inspection and mariner licensing. The Coast Guard is expressly prohibited by statute (Title 46 US Code, sec.
How do I make a VHF call?
- Call the vessel, marina or restaurant on Channel 9 in the following manner.
- Name of station being called, spoken three times.
- The words “THIS IS”, spoken once.
- Name of your vessel spoken once.
- The word “OVER”.
- Then you wait for the station being called to answer.
How do you send a distress call urgency and safety?
The call is Mayday, repeated three times , for a distress call; Pan Pan repeated three times for an urgent call; or Securite repeated three times for a safety call. This should be followed by your vessel’s name and/or call sign again repeated three times.
What is urgency message?
Urgency messages are preceded by the marker word PAN PAN and are sent by a station (ship) which has a very urgent message to transmit concerning the safety of a ship or a person . ... It can only be transmitted with the authorisation of the master or person responsible for the ship or aircraft.
What is a marine distress signal?
Distress signals are used to show that you need help and require immediate assistance . The signals are internationally recognised and must only be used if you are in distress. Use your marine radio/signalling. ‘mayday, mayday, mayday’ in emergencies only.
What is an important step in fueling process?
- Secure boat to the dock.
- Switch off engine.
- Extinguish all open flames.
- Do not use electrical switches.
- No smoking.
- Ports, hatches, and doors closed.
- Make certain all passengers are ashore.
- Determine quantity of fuel required and make sure it is the proper type of fuel.
What can you do to lessen the severity of a boat fire emergency?
- Ensuring you have the mandatory fire-fighting equipment onboard.
- Ensure fire-fighting equipment is maintained regularly, in good working order and is readily accessible.
- Ensuring you and your passengers respond with speed and effectiveness.
What do orange flares mean?
The Orange Smoke Flare ( daytime use only ) with red hand flare in the background. Very effective in daylight, especially to mark your position for a helicopter, and to show the wind direction to assist the helicopter crew in your rescue. Also used to mark emergency helicopter landing sites, and show wind direction.
What does HM Coastguard do?
HM Coastguard is a section of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency responsible for the initiation and co-ordination of all civilian maritime Search and Rescue (SAR) within the UK Maritime Search and Rescue Region.
What are the 3 types of visual distress signals?
Visual distress signals include day signals that are visible in sunlight, night signals that are visible in the dark , and anytime signals that can be used both day and night.
What is the VHF emergency frequency?
The frequencies are 121.5 MHz for civilian, also known as International Air Distress (IAD) or VHF Guard, and 243.0 MHz for military use, also known as Military Air Distress (MAD) or UHF Guard.
What are the Coast Guard colors?
The Coast Guard mark consists of the Coast Guard emblem and a tri-colored band of Coast Guard blue (PMS 307 C), then white , then Coast Guard red (PMS 179 C).
What is a distress flag?
noun. any flag flown by a vessel to show that it is in distress , as an ensign flown at half-mast or upside down.
What do you say on a mayday call?
Mayday procedure
“Mayday, Mayday, Mayday” “ This is [vessel name and/or call sign if you have one] ” (spoken three times) “Mayday [vessel name and/or call sign if you have one]” “My position is ... [Details of the ship’s position]” “My vessel is ... [Nature of distress and assistance required is identified]” “I have ...
What does Semper Paratus mean in English?
Semper Paratus ( Always Ready )
What are some military sayings?
- “Balls to the wall” (also, “Going balls out”) Meaning: To go as fast as one possibly can. ...
- “Bite the bullet” ...
- “Boots on the ground” ...
- “Bought the farm” ...
- “Caught a lot of flak” ...
- “FUBAR”/”SNAFU”/”TARFU” ...
- Geronimo. ...
- “Got your six”
What are the military slogans?
- Air Force. Current Slogan: “Aim High, Fly-Fight-Win” ...
- Navy. Current Slogan: “Forged by the Sea” ...
- Army. Current Slogan: “Army Strong” ...
- Marines. Current Slogan: “The Few, The Proud” ...
- Coast Guard. Current Slogan: “Born Ready”
How do you call a Marine rescue?
- Your boat registration number.
- Where you’re leaving from.
- Where you’re heading.
- What time you plan to return.
- The number of people on board.
- Your mobile phone number.
