If something happened right now, who would you call?
VesselSOS shows the rescue centre for where you are, from your GPS. Tap SOS, answer one question, make the right call. Free, no account.
- Your rescue centrePicked by your GPS, not your SIM: here MRCC Dublin. Tap SOS, answer one question. Free, no account.
- Hazards nearbyWhat other boaters have reported around you. Free to see.
- Going to seaSet a return time and the people ashore follow you live. Pro, first 14 days free.
One question first: is anyone’s life in danger?
Yes: the app calls the right number for where you are (in Ireland: 112 or 999, ask for the Coast Guard) and gives you a script with your position in words.
No: engine failure, out of fuel, aground? It opens technical assistance with your position and boat details ready for the call, and the local tow service where the app knows one. If things get worse, “Life in danger after all” takes you back to the rescue call.
Not sure? Choose YES. Rescuers would rather hear from you early.
No signal? Your numbers and script are already on the phone. The call needs a mobile network. VHF channel 16 doesn’t.
Boat tracking for the people ashore.
Tap “Going to sea” and set your return time. Your contacts open a link in any browser and see your position, speed, course and battery. Nothing to install, no account.
On iPhone the trip stays on your lock screen, with SOS one tap away.
Trips are part of Pro. The first 14 days are free.
If you are late
- 15:00Your return time passes.
- + delayAfter the delay you chose (15, 30 or 60 min), your phone asks: Are you OK?
- + 10 minNo answer: up to 5 of your contacts get a text with your live map.
- OKWhen you answer, they get an all-clear.
Needs mobile data at least once after you set off. The texts reach UK and European numbers; US and Canadian numbers are being set up (the contact will text YES first), Australian and New Zealand numbers aren’t supported yet.
If you get the text
Late doesn’t always mean trouble. Open the link, then try calling them.
Can’t reach them and worried? Call the number in the text (112 in Europe), say a boat is overdue and give them the position from the link. VesselSOS does not alert rescue services for you.
Worried about someone out there?
You can’t install it for them. You can send it to them: the SOS is free and needs no account.
Mark a hazard. Warn the next boat.
Drifting logs, lost nets, buoys that have moved. Boaters report them and others confirm them. Reports fade out by type, from 20 minutes to 7 days, unless someone confirms them again; rocks stay until removed.
Reports come from other boaters. We don’t check them, and they don’t go to the coastguard. See a person or boat in trouble? Don’t report it here: call it in.
See which friends are out on the water.
Add friends who use VesselSOS. When one heads out, you get a notification and see them on your map: where they are and how long they’ve been out. Handy when you go out in company, or want someone for an evening paddle.
Ashore, or with “Show friends when I’m at sea” off, friends see only your name, number and boat. Late-return texts still go only to your own contacts.
Friends is part of Pro, for you and for each friend.
Send VesselSOS to a friend →
What the app does, and what it does not.
Carry a VHF? Use it first.
MAYDAY on channel 16 or press DSC: rescue services and every boat in range hear you at once.
Is your phone all you carry?
On a SUP, kayak or jet ski, make it count: waterproof pouch, on a lanyard, charged, trip started.
A beacon is a beacon.
An EPIRB or PLB (satellite distress beacon) works where no phone does. VesselSOS does not replace one.
Numbers stay on the phone. The rescue directory works offline.
GPS, not your SIM. Abroad you get the local centre, not your home country’s.
Nothing to install ashore. Your contacts follow a link.
Not just for your own boat.
Free tools
For clubs & businesses
- VesselSOS RacingPilot 2027 Live tracking and results for your race office. Skippers use the free VesselSOS app.
- VesselSOS FleetPILOT 2027 Know where every rental is: check-out, live map, an alert when someone is late back.
- Is your club or marina listed? Find its free page and claim it.
- Widget for clubs & marinas Rescue numbers on your club website.
What do you take out?
Heeled over, hands full — help is one tap away. MMSI and craft details ready in your call script.
Clubs and marinas near you
Sailing, rowing and paddling clubs and guest harbours — with VHF channel, depth, prices, weather and the rescue centre for their water. Free to use, no account needed.
Do you know which rescue centre is responsible for you right now?
Halfway across the Adriatic from Split to Ancona, someone goes overboard. You know 112 — but not that you've just crossed from the Croatian into the Italian rescue area, or the Italian Coast Guard's number.
The SOS screen is free. Forever.
Calling for help never sits behind a paywall. Pro adds live tracking, your contacts and the return-time check. Reporting hazards is free with an account.Pro is bought in the app through Google Play or the App Store and renews automatically until you cancel; the 14-day free trial is once per person. Coming to Pro: calls routed through a phone-network gateway to the rescue centre's real number — for no SIM, failed roaming or satellite internet; it can't reach the 112 short code and it needs a data connection.
Four minutes, once.
Called where you are.
Baltic Sea 8 centres → EE · FI · SE · LV · LT · PL · DE · DK North Sea & North Atlantic 21 centres → NO · IS · FO · GB · IE · NL · BE Atlantic coast & islands 21 centres → FR · ES · PT · GI Mediterranean 12 centres → IT · MT · SI · HR · ME · AL · GR · CY · TR Black Sea 2 centres → BG · ROQuestions people actually ask.
VesselSOS is an aid, not a rescue service. It doesn't replace a VHF radio, an EPIRB or a call to your local emergency number, and depends on your phone's battery, GPS and coverage.