Emergency in the Med? Who do you call?

[peterandjeanette]

Preferably NOT Ghost Busters.

We are very fortunate in the UK to have the CG, RNLI, India Bravo etc who will respond to Mayday calls.

But who do you call when an emergency happens off the Spanish/French meditteranean coast?

Just put out a "mayday" and hope someone in your area may be listening? Does someone keep a listening watch on Ch 16?
Does anyone respond ............

or are you on your own?


Serious post as we are moving out to the Med in a few weeks time and SWMBO (and me) likes to know these things well in advance.

 

[daniel..]

Just put out a "mayday" and hope someone in your area may be listening? Does someone keep a listening watch on Ch 16?
Does anyone respond ............

Yes, if you need to, you can issue a MAYDAY in Channel 16 (or in 2.182 kHz MW). Both coastal stations, rescue centers and all boats in navigation worldwide are/should be listening. There are rescue services all around the Med, and all of them speak reasonable English. They will listen, respond and if required launch a rescue.

 

[bigwow]

Yes, if you need to, you can issue a MAYDAY in Channel 16 (or in 2.182 kHz MW). Both coastal stations, rescue centers and all boats in navigation worldwide are/should be listening. There are rescue services all around the Med, and all of them speak reasonable English. They will listen, respond and if required launch a rescue.

Then give you the bill?

 

[vyv_cox]

I can't speak for Spain but I have heard emergency procedures set in place by VHF in Holland, France, Italy and Greece. In France CROSS keep a listening watch and respond in English. In Greece pillocks set off a DSC alarm at a rate of pretty much one per day. Olympia Radio respond instantly in English.

 

[haydude]

Beware that in case of Maritime Rescue the IMO legislation applies and the rescuers are to be compensated proportionally to the value of the vessel rescued, their costs to undertake the rescue, any damage suffered, and the risk taken.

This legislation applies also in the UK and in general it is the RNLI choice not to enforce it by demanding for compensation (they usually suggest to the rescued crew to make a donation). Although if you are rescued by a private vessel it is the rescuer right to claim compensation and reward on the rescued vessel.

It has been reported that fishermen in Spain take rescuing other vessels as a business.

If the owner refuses to settle the claim amicably, they go to court and the rescued vessel can be denied permission to leave port until all claims are settled.

 

[st599]

Then give you the bill?

Yes.

 

[Roberto]

I don't know about other countries, but sure 100% in France life rescue is totally free, by law.

OTOH the rescue of a ship/boat entitles the rescuer to a compensation: as most rescues in France are done by the SNSM (equivalent of the RNLI), they leave it to the captain of the SNSM boat to decide the amount.
If for example a terrified family calls for help in a not-so-distressing situation, the SNSM captain would show a lot more understanding than in the case of a boat calling for help in very bening conditions as he's run out of fuel...


I heard two PanPan calls in Spain where the boats asked for a tow, the Salvamento operator said on the radio "there is a compensation of this and this euro, do you agree?", after agreement out they went

 

[Sybarite]

http://www.developpement-durable.gouv.fr/Les-7-CROSS.html

 

[peterandjeanette]

I have no problem with being charged for a rescue if you, your crew and your boat are in imminent danger as I would expect your insurance company to cough up. (Or am I being naive?) Besides, danger to crew is paramount. The boat can be replaced.

If you call for assistance if there is no wind and you're about to run out of diesel and won't get back to port in time for that meal in the restuarant that you booked the previous night then you deserve all you get.

We should all be able to sail back to port and, if necessary, ask the marina/harbour master to send a boat out to help you into a berth.

My concern was where we get help in the case of a major injury on board, striking a submerged object and holing the boat, demasting etc.

 

[noelex]

In Greece you are frequently asked to get an expensive survey done following an emergency call.

 

[vyv_cox]

In Greece you are frequently asked to get an expensive survey done following an emergency call.

True, we berthed next to someone who went through that process. He had called a Mayday when aground on a rock but got himself off and cancelled it. Despite that he had to pay for a survey before being allowed to move on. He told me that if he had called a Pan-pan there would have been no consequences.

 

[little_roundtop]

In Greece you are frequently asked to get an expensive survey done following an emergency call.

And not just for a MAYDAY either. If you send a MAYDAY or a PAN-PAN and then later enter a Greek port the Coastguard are entitled to assume that your vessel may be now be unseaworthy. They have the right to insist on a survey by a surveyor they nominate but which you pay for. And yes, these can be expensive (and surprisingly brief too). Obviously in a MAYDAY situation you probably don't care that much about a later survey, but be very careful about when you send a PAN-PAN in Greek waters.

 

[BurnitBlue]

Carry your own special ingredients for a Martini. When an emergency arises, mix one carelessly. Within five minutes another boat will arrive to tell you that you just did it wrong. Rescue.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Carry your own special ingredients for a Martini. When an emergency arises, mix one carelessly. Within five minutes another boat will arrive to tell you that you just did it wrong. Rescue.

Alternatively, start playing a game of Patience. Before long someone will come along and will let you know you can play the red seven of hearts on the black eight of clubs. Problem solved.

 

[NormanS]

Preferably NOT Ghost Busters.

We are very fortunate in the UK to have the CG, RNLI, India Bravo etc who will respond to Mayday calls.

But who do you call when an emergency happens off the Spanish/French meditteranean coast?

Just put out a "mayday" and hope someone in your area may be listening? Does someone keep a listening watch on Ch 16?
Does anyone respond ............

or are you on your own?


Serious post as we are moving out to the Med in a few weeks time and SWMBO (and me) likes to know these things well in advance.

What is India Bravo, please?

 

[BurnitBlue]

Alternatively, start playing a game of Patience. Before long someone will come along and will let you know you can play the red seven of hearts on the black eight of clubs. Problem solved.

Hee Hee. We had a game one evening in the cockpit with ideas for summoning help. One guy, a photographer said he would erect a camera with tripod on the deck and some busy-body will arrive to tell you its not allowed to take photographs here.

 

[Twister_Ken]

Hee Hee. We had a game one evening in the cockpit with ideas for summoning help. One guy, a photographer said he would erect a camera with tripod on the deck and some busy-body will arrive to tell you its not allowed to take photographs here.

I used to work for a hardware manufacturer that had a division that specialised in infrastructure cabling. Their version was, if you're ever lost, bury a piece of fibre optic cable. Within a few minutes a bloke with a JCB will be along to dig a trench and rip it out. Ask him where you are.

 

[Red]

It is also worth finding out the emergency telephone numbers. On one occasion I got the injured person back to the shore, went to the phone box, in this case Port Cruesty in Brittany and only then realised that 999 does not work. it was a few years since but I think the number was 191, however the paramedics arrived. For safety get all the info just in case,

Regards

 

[Bosun Higgs]

Then give you the bill?

NO. When I had to use the French one, there was no bill.

They were well organised, efficient and spoke English. I wonder how many RNLI types speak French?

 

[haydude]

It is also worth finding out the emergency telephone numbers. On one occasion I got the injured person back to the shore, went to the phone box, in this case Port Cruesty in Brittany and only then realised that 999 does not work. it was a few years since but I think the number was 191, however the paramedics arrived. For safety get all the info just in case,

Regards

This is an interesting subject that might sparkle an heated debate.

EUROPE (INCLUDING BRITAIN) DO HAVE A COMMON EMERGENCY SERVICES NUMBER.

THE NUMBER IS: 112

This number was established about 12 years ago to ensure that every citizen only had to remember one number: "One One Two", wherever they went. Some in the UK believe this is the number to call from a mobile phone, instead this is the universal emergency services number working also from every landline, in the UK too.

So why is the UK still using 999 alongside 112? It is because of the usual nationalistic reasons. The UK too adopted 112 in alignment to the European Union standards, but the authorities continued to use and advertise 999 as the emergency number instead.

Is this favouring UK citizens? No it is not, it is favouring only the pride of the obtuse. Because in fact somebody coming from Europe to the UK who will be in the unfortunate situation to having to call the emergency services, will dial 112 like back home, and he/she will get through.

A UK citizen instead travelling abroad will be totally unaware of the standardization and most importantly, the correct number to call:

1 1 2

One One Two