Coast guard or 911

[shrimpman steve]

When out on the water, should an emergency arise (within cell range) is it better to call the CG or call 911? Or call 16 on the VHF?

Also what channel do fishermen monitor and use out there?

[SaltyAngler]

Uhhhhh. Without a shadow of a doubt, I'd say Coast Guard emergency channel 16.

Channel 16. Mayday. Vessel in distress.

911 would probably hang up.

The only time the cell comes in handy, from as far as I've heard (on the water) is when the CG has trouble understanding you due static/radio traffic/interference.

[MrAC1980]

Yup Coast Guard channel 16, cell only a backup if boat loses power. and try to have gps coordinates ready.

[Flukemeister1]

Unless you are on fire or ready to sink it is faster/better to call to the local Coast Guard station rather than call Mayday. When you just call out Mayday it can take time to sort out which is the covering Coast Guard station and since there are often times overlapping areas of radio coverage you can have several responses to your Mayday and this can slow down the response time. When you call in an emergency the most important thing to get off first is the location of your boat. When you make the call repeat the Coast Guard's station's name three times, Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, CG Station Sandy Hook, CG Station Sandy Hook and the vessels name three times, this gives them a chance to dial in the radio direction finder on your location. If your radio quits at this point they at least have a radio reference by which to start their search. Once you have given them the location of the boat then give them the number of people on board and then the nature of your problem. If you are running a private boat with guests it is always a great idea at the begining of the voyage to explain how to read the GPS and call for help if you are incompacitated.

[Reel Class]

Channel 16 hail USCG

Ambulances fire trucks n local pds can't walk on water!!

[Papasown]

Hey Shrimpman, With a true emergency on the water, call out to the CG on Channel 16. If the emergency is threat of sinking, or uncontrollable fire use the term MAYDAY-MAYDAY. Be prepared to tell them of your GPS coordinates, and Boat Registration # ( I keep mine written on a piece of tape near the radio, so I won't forget when things go sideways.) Be ready to go to cell phone if batteries go under water and you lose power. ( I keep CG phone # on that same location). If the call is less serious, say PAN-PAN-PAN, and be prepared to say clearly and slowly the above information. If people are in the water, advise the CG, and if boat is nearby, call out, whistle(I keep police whistle at helm station), and have passengers wave to get that boat's attention. That boat will be your first line of rescue for persons in the water, and safety for you and your passengers. Be prepared, be safe............Papa

[shrimpman steve]

Great advice

Thanks for the responses guys

[Joey Dah Fish]

Always CG channel 16 and second call 911

[tropics]

Probably a good idea to keep as stated a Police Whistle, Air Horn, and Flare Gun if you are running outside.
Lots of good info on this post stay save.

[Capt. Debbie]

When you vcall a Mayday everyone is responding in YOUR direction with Direction finders. FORGET THE CELL PHONE. Cell is back up.

Also any boat in your area can respond. Unless you know everyone's phone number... youre digging yourself into a deeper hole. And SOL!

The Cell is LAST RESORT.

Originally Posted by Flukemeister1

Unless you are on fire or ready to sink it is faster/better to call to the local Coast Guard station rather than call Mayday. When you just call out Mayday it can take time to sort out which is the covering Coast Guard station and since there are often times overlapping areas of radio coverage you can have several responses to your Mayday and this can slow down the response time. When you call in an emergency the most important thing to get off first is the location of your boat. When you make the call repeat the Coast Guard's station's name three times, Coast Guard Station Sandy Hook, CG Station Sandy Hook, CG Station Sandy Hook and the vessels name three times, this gives them a chance to dial in the radio direction finder on your location. If your radio quits at this point they at least have a radio reference by which to start their search. Once you have given them the location of the boat then give them the number of people on board and then the nature of your problem. If you are running a private boat with guests it is always a great idea at the begining of the voyage to explain how to read the GPS and call for help if you are incompacitated.