SAFETY SERVICES

Highly trained Coast Guard Marine Communication & Traffic Service (MCTS) Officers continuously monitor international distress and calling frequencies 24 hours per day, 365 days a year, to promote the Safety of Life at Sea.

VHF Ch 16: Vessels should monitor VHF Channel 16 to the greatest practical extent while at sea. Keeping watch on this channel usually provides both you and other mariners with the best opportunity to obtain assistance as quickly as possible.

Cellular Phone *16: Mariners with Cellular telephones may dial *16 to contact the Coast Guard Radio station in their area directly for assistance. However, the disadvantage is that no one else hears the conversation, such as vessels that are nearby that may provide rapid response. Valuable time is wasted taking information that must be repeated via VHF radio. Also, CG does not have "direction finding" capability for cellular transmissions.