[F1shEyes74]

After reading the recent story of the 4 people who were rescued by the USCG in LSC, and the report that they called USCG via cell - I realized that I dont have an emergency number for the Coast Guard in my phone. (I normally rely on my VHF radio for comm on the water).

What is the correct number to call for USCG assistance in an emergency, and/or tow situation? Also - is there a marine sheriff number that should be programed in my phone as well?

Thanks. RA

[thebigpole]

For emergencies, I would say that VHF should always be option #1. Numerous marine agencies (and other boaters) monitor those frequencies and you'll get a quicker response. After that, try the USCG Joint Rescue Coordination Center: 800-321-4400.

[MCSO Marine Division]

Channel 16 on the VHF radio is your best bet. Not only will you be alerting authorities of your emergency but other boaters may be close and able to assist. It also helps ensure that all area patrol boats can simultaneously respond instead of notifying each other of the call.

Coast Guard Station - St Clair Shores: (586)778-3320
Macomb County Marine Division: (586)469-5803
St Clair County Sheriff: (810)794-5655
Wayne County Sheriff: (734)942-2222
Ontario PP Marine: (519)723-2491

[Molly Frair]

Is there a general word that you would use to call for help? Obviously "MayDay" is for an extreme emergency and even "Emergency Emergency" is to strong for engine problems.

I broke down one night and tried to call the coast guard on the radio and they didn't hear me. I called them on my cell and they told me to try the radio again. That time they heard me. But if the other stations were online at the time, would they have responded if I was calling the coast guard? If there was a word to use for help then I would imagine any station would have responded.

[ColPepper]

You can also use the radio CH16 and just call them by their station name like "US Coast Guard Station St Clair Shores, US Coast Guard station St Clair Shore this is your boat name over".. Wait 30 seconds if they haven't responded do it again.. They will normally answer you when you call them this way.. Just like when your trying to call another boat using your radio..

This post has been edited by ColPepper: 25 April 2012 - 03:11 PM

[Jim G]

Thank you very much.

MCSO Marine Division, on 25 April 2012 - 01:07 PM, said:

Channel 16 on the VHF radio is your best bet. Not only will you be alerting authorities of your emergency but other boaters may be close and able to assist. It also helps ensure that all area patrol boats can simultaneously respond instead of notifying each other of the call.

Coast Guard Station - St Clair Shores: (586)778-3320
Macomb County Marine Division: (586)469-5803
St Clair County Sheriff: (810)794-5655
Wayne County Sheriff: (734)942-2222
Ontario PP Marine: (519)723-2491

[ziado]

MCSO Marine Division, on 25 April 2012 - 01:07 PM, said:

Channel 16 on the VHF radio is your best bet. Not only will you be alerting authorities of your emergency but other boaters may be close and able to assist. It also helps ensure that all area patrol boats can simultaneously respond instead of notifying each other of the call.

Coast Guard Station - St Clair Shores: (586)778-3320
Macomb County Marine Division: (586)469-5803
St Clair County Sheriff: (810)794-5655
Wayne County Sheriff: (734)942-2222
Ontario PP Marine: (519)723-2491

Great information. Thanks.

[KMC]

Molly Frair, on 25 April 2012 - 02:43 PM, said:

Is there a general word that you would use to call for help? Obviously "MayDay" is for an extreme emergency and even "Emergency Emergency" is to strong for engine problems.

I broke down one night and tried to call the coast guard on the radio and they didn't hear me. I called them on my cell and they told me to try the radio again. That time they heard me. But if the other stations were online at the time, would they have responded if I was calling the coast guard? If there was a word to use for help then I would imagine any station would have responded.

Depending on how desperate the situation is

Pan-pan ( from wiki )

"In radiotelephone communications, a call of three repetitions of pan-pan[1] (play /ˈpɑːn ˈpɑːn/)[2][3] is used to signify that there is an urgency on board a boat, ship, aircraft or other vehicle but that, for the time being at least, there is no immediate danger to anyone's life or to the vessel itself

The correct usage is "Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan, Pan-Pan", followed by the intended recipient of the message, either "All Stations, All Stations, All Stations" or a specific station, "US Coast Guard Station St Clair Shores, US Coast Guard station St Clair Shores US Coast Guard station St Clair Shores", the identification of the craft, its position, the nature of the problem and the type of assistance or advice required, if any."


If no one is responding, you could also just use the "Hello all stations, Hello all stations, Hello all stations, this is (boat name), description of problem (adrift in LSC, just east of xxx)", etc

[F1shEyes74]

Thanks to all.