Carry A Calling Device For Help At Sea

The ability to call for help or signal for assistance is imperative. With a VHF or DSC radio you can transmit a Mayday call to the Coastguard and other vessels and a distress or emergency beacon will transmit your location to the search and rescue services.

Waterproof handheld Digital Selective Calling (DSC) VHF radio
A waterproof DSC VHF allows you to send a distress message with your location directly to the coastguard with a single button push of the Red Distress button. You then follow this with a voice call on VHF channel 16, which is broadcast to all VHF radios in the area.

Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
A PLB can send a distress message to the coastguard from anywhere in the world, providing there is a clear view of the sky. The distress message and your location will be sent to the coastguard, who will launch a rescue service to your GPS position. You can also use a PLB anywhere on land, so they can be used as safety kit for other outdoor pursuits.

Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB)
An EPIRB can send a distress message to the coastguard from anywhere in the world, providing there is a clear view of the sky. The distress message and your location will be sent to the coastguard, who will launch a rescue service to your GPS position.

An EPIRB must be registered to a specific vessel.

Mobile phone
Always take a fully charged mobile phone with you and keep it stored in a waterproof pouch. If you get into difficulty, call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard.

Remember: Not all coastal areas have mobile phone signal, so you may need an alternative means of calling for help.