In the Cayman Islands, call 911, the national emergency number, and say you are at sea. Second 24-hour line: CICG MORCC, +1 345 936 6722. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Source: gov.ky Cayman Islands National Maritime Search and Rescue Plan Rev02 · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
gov.ky Cayman Islands National Maritime Search and Rescue Plan Rev02 (8/2025) §4.21 — “Direct Call to Cayman Islands DPSC / 911 • Direct Call to the MRCC (+1 345-936-6722 …) • Call by Marine VHF Radio (VHF Channel 16 / 156.8 MHz)”
The Cayman Islands National Weather Service publishes a daily forecast with wind and sea state (wave heights) at weather.gov.ky/forecast.
Cayman Islands National Weather Service ▾
weather.gov.ky (2026-10-14): “Winds will be east at 10 to 15 knots. Seas will be slight to moderate with wave heights of 2 to 4 feet.”
Hurricane season: 1 June – 30 November.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · NOAA National Hurricane Center ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The hurricane season in the Cayman Islands normally runs from June to November.”
nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14, intl): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30.”
Official warnings
Do not exceed 5 knots within 200 yards of shore, and stay at least 50 yards off before running parallel to the shore. Within 200 yards of a divers-down flag, slow to 3 knots or less and post a bow lookout.
Port Authority of the Cayman Islands · Port Authority of the Cayman Islands ▾
caymanport.com (2026-10-14): “No vessel shall exceed a speed of five knots when within two hundred yards of shore or when within fifty yards of any vessel at anchor.”
caymanport.com (2026-10-14): “Any vessel within two hundred yards of a “divers down “ flag or light must slow to a speed of three knots or less, have a look-out at the bow for divers and swimmers”
Anchoring is banned in marked channels and all Marine Park zones. Boats over 60 ft may not anchor outside the George Town Port Anchorage Area, and no anchor or chain may damage coral anywhere in Cayman waters.
Port Authority of the Cayman Islands · Port Authority of the Cayman Islands ▾
caymanport.com (2026-10-14): “Anchoring is prohibited in marked channels, turning basins, within all Marine Park Zones and Environmental zone (outside of the Port Anchorage Area) vessels over (60)sixty feet in length are prohibited from anchoring.”
caymanport.com (2026-10-14): “All vessels are prohibited from anchoring in such a manner as to cause damage to coral by the anchor or chain. This rule applies in all Cayman waters.”
Divers: recompression
Cayman's only recompression chamber is at George Town Hospital, Grand Cayman, on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (Cayman Hyperbaric Services, +1 345 949 2989). In an emergency, dial 911 for the chamber.
Cayman Islands Health Services Authority · Cayman Islands Health Services Authority · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
hsa.ky (2026-10-14): “Cayman Hyperbaric Services’ team of 30 qualified and dedicated part-time operators and attendants operates Cayman’s only Recompression Chamber. Located at the George Town Hospital, the unit is readily available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year on an on-call basis”
hsa.ky (2026-10-14): “They can be contacted by emailing diveraid@candw.ky or by telephone at 949-2989.”
Every arriving vessel must call the Cayman Port Authority on VHF 16, fly a yellow Q flag, and clear with Customs and Border Control at George Town or Cayman Brac. No one may leave the boat before clearance; fines run up to CI$1,000. Bring clearance papers from your last port.
Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control · Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control · Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control · Cayman Islands Customs and Border Control ▾
gov.ky (2026-10-14): “All vessels arriving in the Cayman Islands must first proceed to the George Town Port in Grand Cayman or the Cayman Brac Port for Customs and Border Control Clearance.”
gov.ky (2026-10-14): “All arriving vessels must contact Cayman Port Authority on VHS radio channel 16.”
gov.ky (2026-10-14): “Failure to fly a Quarantine Flag on arrival in Port or leaving a vessel before being cleared by Customs and Border Control is a procedural offence which carries a fine of up to CI$1000.00”
gov.ky (2026-10-14): “Evidence of clearance from last Port of Call must be produced.”
What number do I call for help at sea in the Cayman Islands?+
In the Cayman Islands, call 911, the national emergency number, and say you are at sea. Second 24-hour line: CICG MORCC, +1 345 936 6722. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in the Cayman Islands?+
911 is the number the authorities in the Cayman Islands give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for the Cayman Islands.
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 the Cayman Islands?+
Hurricane season: 1 June – 30 November.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for the Cayman Islands?+
The Cayman Islands National Weather Service publishes a daily forecast with wind and sea state (wave heights) at weather.gov.ky/forecast.
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