Posted on behalf of Dick Stevenson

Hi all,

I am installing an Iridium Satphone and wish to get feedback/confirmation on emergency phone numbers.

Is there any consensus on the best numbers to be programmed into one’s cell or sat phone. I will include a couple of numbers I have programmed in (never used) over the years with the caveat that everyone should check the numbers out for themselves and not to rely on me.

For Northern Europe waters, I have always had Falmouth CG, 0044-132-631-7575 in my cell phone. (I understand that, in addition to maritime emergencies) they will link a medical emergency call to Portsmouth Hosp. where there are Drs. experienced in medical emergencies at sea.)

I have not been in my home waters of the US in a decade, but I believe that USCG emergency # is 800-323-7233. There are regional emergency phone numbers as well.

Offshore I have always used SSB maritime & Ham radio and always gotten through to the Ham maritime net or the USCG when needed. With a new Satphone, I want to be able to use the phone in emergencies as well as the radio

I would also like suggestions as to the emergency numbers one might consider on a route back to NA via the Faroes, Iceland and Greenland.

Thanks for the help, Dick Stevenson, s/v Alchemy


Thanks once again for your help, Dick