What’s the best way to get help for a boat emergency or medical concern? It’s probably not a call on your cell phone.
Emergencies on the Water
When we were moored in Boat Key Harbor, we had a week with several boater emergencies.
In one instance, a man keeled over, unconscious. His wife put out a call for help. Someone called 911. Once he was helped to shore, there was an ambulance waiting. Luckily, his heart problem was easily treated and he was able to return to his boat.
Another time, a boat began dragging toward other boats in high winds. A call on the VHF got at least four people there in minutes to assist the single-hander.
And the scariest of all, was a boat fire. A nearby boat owner reported it. Several nearby boaters arrived by dinghy to make sure no one was trapped inside (fortunately, no one was aboard).
In each case, a quick call on the VHF radio saved the day.
Boat Emergency First Step
Assuming there are other boats around, the first thing is to put out a call on the VHF stating exactly what you need. Five blasts of a horn will also get attention.
The VHF is a one-to-many call for help, with people who are on the water. Generally, calling on 16 or a local hailing channel summons help instantly. If you’re offshore, an emergency call on 16 will usually be picked up by the Coast Guard. They are specially trained to get assistance to you as fast as possible.
Calling 911 Doesn’t Always Help
Calling 911 gets local responders to the waters’ edge. But it doesn’t generally get them to your boat. Make a VHF call first, then someone else can make the 911 call while you do what you can on the scene. And in a busy mooring field or anchorage, you’re likely to have someone tuned into their radio able to help.
Of course, if you hear an emergency call, do whatever you can to help!
Be Prepared for an Emergency VHF Call
Of course, it doesn’t help to have a VHF radio onboard unless everyone knows how to use it. All people living on the boat need to know how to operate the radio and basic information about your boat to pass along in an emergency. That includes guests, as well.
Make sure you post instructions near the radio. And remember, in an emergency, anyone can get flustered. You can learn more about making emergency VHF calls (including automated ones that include your position) in VHF Radios: Everything You Need To Know.
Anything you can do to prepare before something bad happens makes it more likely to get help for a boat emergency as fast as you need it.
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Carolyn Shearlock has lived aboard full-time for 17 years, splitting her time between a Tayana 37 monohull and a Gemini 105 catamaran. She’s cruised over 14,000 miles, from Pacific Mexico and Central America to Florida and the Bahamas, gaining firsthand experience with the joys and challenges of life on the water.
Through The Boat Galley, Carolyn has helped thousands of people explore, prepare for, and enjoy life afloat. She shares her expertise as an instructor at Cruisers University, in leading boating publications, and through her bestselling book, The Boat Galley Cookbook. She is passionate about helping others embark on their liveaboard journey—making life on the water simpler, safer, and more enjoyable.
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