In Aruba, call Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (MOC) on +599 9 463 7700. Local short number: 913 — it may not connect from a foreign SIM, so the full number comes first. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
The Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (DCCG) covers the waters of Aruba, Curaçao, Sint Maarten, Bonaire, Saba and Sint Eustatius; search and rescue is coordinated 24/7 by its Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) in Curaçao.
Government of Sint Maarten · Government of Sint Maarten ▾
sintmaartengov.org (2026-10-14): “Therefore the DCCG provides services in the territorial waters around the countries Aruba, Curacao & Sint Maarten and the municipalities Bonaire, Saba & Sint Eustatius as well as in the adjacent zones and high seas of the Caribbean Sea.”
sintmaartengov.org (2026-10-14): “The JRCC is located on Curacao and delivers 24/7 coordination capability.”
Aruba Ports Authority's Marine Traffic Control Tower (coast station) operates 24/7 on VHF channels 16 and 11; call Aruba Ports Authority on channel 16 before entering port.
Aruba Ports Authority N.V. ▾
arubaports.com (2026-10-14): “MARINE TRAFFIC CONTROL TOWER Direct Phone: 5234336/5234337 Operations: 24/7/365 E-mail: KustStation@arubaports.com VHF Channel: 16 & 11”
Weather and season
Hurricane season is 1 June – 30 November; most hurricanes pass north of Aruba, but tropical storms occur.
NOAA National Hurricane Center · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14, intl): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of America.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The hurricane season in the Caribbean normally runs from June to November. Most hurricanes pass to the north of Aruba, which has no record of a recent major hurricane. There are occasional tropical storms.”
Arriving by boat
The main port of entry is the Port of Oranjestad: call Aruba Ports Authority on VHF 16, fly the Q flag, and everyone stays aboard until Customs and Immigration have cleared the boat. After 22:00, with Coast Guard permission, wait at the designated anchorage and clear in the morning.
arubaports.com (2026-10-14): “Aruba Ports Authority to be called on channel 16 to arrange safe harbor entry, guidelines from harbor control tower recommended to be followed until moored.”
arubaports.com (2026-10-14): “If arriving after 10:00 pm, vessels with permission from the Coast Guard may go to designated anchorage space and proceed with clearance in the morning hours.”
arubaports.com (2026-10-14): “The main port of entry in Aruba is the Port of Oranjestad”
In Aruba, call Dutch Caribbean Coast Guard (MOC) on +599 9 463 7700. Local short number: 913 — it may not connect from a foreign SIM, so the full number comes first. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Aruba?+
The general emergency number in Aruba is 911. Many mobile phones also pass 112 on to the local emergency service, but we found no official confirmation for Aruba. In a sea emergency, call +599 9 463 7700.
Why a full number and not the short code 913?+
Short codes like 913 are routed by local phone networks and may not connect from a foreign SIM card while roaming. The full number +599 9 463 7700 reaches the same service from any phone.
Which rescue centre is responsible for me?+
The one whose search-and-rescue area you are in — not the country of your SIM card. Near borders that can change during a trip; the VesselSOS app picks it from your GPS position.
When is the storm season in Aruba?+
Hurricane season is 1 June – 30 November; most hurricanes pass north of Aruba, but tropical storms occur.
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