In Bermuda, call 911 and ask for sea rescue. Second 24-hour line: RCC Bermuda, +1 441 297 1010. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Bermuda Maritime Operations (Bermuda Radio, ZBR) keeps a continuous 24-hour watch on VHF 16 and 27 and on MF 2182 kHz.
Bermuda Department of Marine and Ports Services ▾
rccbermuda.bm (2026-10-14): “Bermuda Maritime Operations maintains a continuous 24 hour watch on the International Distress and Calling frequency 2182 kHz and on 4125 kHz, and VHF channels 16 and 27.”
Bermuda Radio (call sign ZBR) broadcasts safety and weather information on a fixed schedule, for example at 00:35 GMT. Each broadcast is announced on VHF 16/MF 2182 kHz and read on VHF 27/MF 2582 kHz. NAVTEX is on 518 kHz (station B).
Bermuda Department of Marine and Ports Services · Bermuda Department of Marine and Ports Services · Bermuda Department of Marine and Ports Services ▾
rccbermuda.bm (2026-10-14): “0035 R/T See notes 2 and 3. VHF channel 16 and MF 2182 kHz VHF channel 27 and MF 2582 kHz”
rccbermuda.bm (2026-10-14): “NAVTEX See notes 1 and 3. 518 kHz [B]”
Weather and season
The Bermuda Weather Service local marine forecast runs continuously on VHF weather channel 2 (162.4 MHz), followed in season by tropical advisories and the NHC Tropical Weather Outlook. It is updated at 05:30, 11:30, 16:30 and 23:30 local time.
Bermuda Department of Marine and Ports Services · Bermuda Department of Marine and Ports Services ▾
rccbermuda.bm (2026-10-14): “The local Marine Weather Forecast provided by the Bermuda Weather Service, is followed by tropical weather advisories”
rccbermuda.bm (2026-10-14): “VHF Marine Weather Channel 2 162.4 MHz. Issued at 0530, 1130, 1630 and 2330 Local times.”
Hurricane season: 1 June – 30 November. Follow storms on the Bermuda Weather Service and the US National Hurricane Center.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · NOAA National Hurricane Center ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Monitor storms on the Bermuda Weather Service and US National Hurricane Center websites”
nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14, intl): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
Bermuda's Marine Board (Safety) Regulations require boats to carry an approved, suitable-size life-jacket for every person on board, kept easily accessible and in good condition.
Government of Bermuda (Bermuda Laws Online) ▾
bermudalaws.bm (2026-10-14): “(a) one approved life-jacket each for every person on board which life-jacket is easily accessible for use, is in good and effective condition and is of a suitable size;”
Official warnings
Bermuda is ringed by fringing reefs with a danger of stranding; an IMO Area To Be Avoided surrounds the islands.
Bermuda Department of Marine and Ports Services ▾
rccbermuda.bm (2026-10-14): “DUE TO THE DANGER OF STRANDING ON THE REEFS FRINGING BERMUDA AND FOR ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION, THE INTERNATIONAL MARITIME ORGANISATION (I.M.O) HAS ESTABLISHED AN AREA TO BE AVOIDED”
Many places around Bermuda have strong rip currents.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There are strong rip currents in many places across Bermuda.”
Divers: recompression
Bermuda's hyperbaric chamber is at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital (Bermuda Hospitals Board). As of 8 September 2026 it runs on one of its two compressors and offers emergency service for divers only; check its status before diving.
Bermuda Hospitals Board ▾
bermudahospitals.bm (2026-10-14): “The hyperbaric chamber has two compressors. Only one is operating currently. This has been certified as safe to run emergency service for divers who may need it.”
Arriving by boat
File a SailClear notice before you arrive. On approach, call Bermuda Radio on VHF 16; it will guide you into St. George's Harbour and to the Customs clearance berth at the eastern end of Ordnance Island.
gotobermuda.com (2026-10-14): “visiting yachts must contact Bermuda Radio, on Marine VHF Ch16, who will be able to guide you into St. George's Harbour and direct you to Customs clearance berthing.”
gotobermuda.com (2026-10-14): “All visiting yachts and superyachts must use Sail Clear in advance of your arrival into Bermuda.”
gotobermuda.com (2026-10-14): “The clearance facility is located at the eastern end of Ordnance Island.”
What number do I call for help at sea in Bermuda?+
In Bermuda, call 911 and ask for sea rescue. Second 24-hour line: RCC Bermuda, +1 441 297 1010. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Bermuda?+
911 is the number the authorities in Bermuda give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for Bermuda.
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 Bermuda?+
Hurricane season: 1 June – 30 November. Follow storms on the Bermuda Weather Service and the US National Hurricane Center.
Are life jackets compulsory in Bermuda?+
Bermuda's Marine Board (Safety) Regulations require boats to carry an approved, suitable-size life-jacket for every person on board, kept easily accessible and in good condition.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Bermuda?+
The Bermuda Weather Service local marine forecast runs continuously on VHF weather channel 2 (162.4 MHz), followed in season by tropical advisories and the NHC Tropical Weather Outlook. It is updated at 05:30, 11:30, 16:30 and 23:30 local time.
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