Boating, Sailing & Maritime Emergencies | Survival Solutions

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Guides for coastal and inland boating as well as emergencies aboard sailing craft and larger vessels. Check your local laws, weather service and vessel manuals, and undertake practical maritime training.
If lives are in immediate danger at sea, use your available maritime distress equipment and call for rescue; marine VHF Channel 16 is the international distress and calling channel.
Onboard safety and emergency skills
Each guide includes practical steps, an illustrated sequence and an offline text download.
Maritime
Boat Safety: Checks Before Leaving Shore
Plan a safe trip with weather, lifejackets, crew briefing, navigation and emergency equipment.
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Maritime
Sailing: Weather, Reefing & Coastal Navigation
Manage changing wind and sea conditions, sails, watchkeeping and navigation with safer margins.
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Maritime
Person Overboard: Immediate Response & Recovery
Raise the alarm, maintain visual contact, return carefully and prepare for cold-water exposure.
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Maritime
Ship Emergencies: Fire, Flooding & Engine Failure
Manage vessel emergencies without delaying a distress call or placing crew in additional danger.
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Maritime
Mayday, Distress Signals & Abandon-Ship Decisions
Make a clear marine distress call and understand beacons, life rafts and survival priorities.
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Boating & Water Safety
Rip Currents & Beach Emergencies: Swim and Rescue Safety
Identify rip-current warning signs, escape without fighting the current and help others without becoming a second casualty.
Maritime distress reminder
VHF Channel 16 (156.8 MHz) is the international distress and calling channel. For grave and imminent danger requiring immediate assistance, transmit MAYDAY with the vessel name, position, nature of distress, assistance needed and persons onboard. Use DSC/beacons where equipped.
Related guides:
navigation
,
first aid
,
rescue signals
.
Official references
RNLI — boating and sailing safety
RNLI — how to call for help at sea
US Coast Guard — VHF MAYDAY procedure
NWS — boating in thunderstorms
Weather alerts, regulations and professional training override general website instructions.
Additional practical field guides
Radios & rescue equipment