Source: cgfm.mil.co · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
cgfm.mil.co (Comando General FF.MM.) 3 Jun 2024 — “a la línea de emergencias 146 de Guardacostas, disponible las 24 horas”; 19 Nov 2024 — “a través del canal VHF Marino 16 o la línea 146 o 147”
Source: cgfm.mil.co · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
cgfm.mil.co (Comando General FF.MM.) 3 Jun 2024 — “a la línea de emergencias 146 de Guardacostas, disponible las 24 horas”; 19 Nov 2024 — “a través del canal VHF Marino 16 o la línea 146 o 147”
Source: dimar.mil.co “Dispositivo de DIMAR refuerza la seguridad marítima en el Pacífico durante Semana Santa” · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
dimar.mil.co “Dispositivo de DIMAR refuerza la seguridad marítima en el Pacífico durante Semana Santa” (27/03/2026; checked 2026-10-14) — “en las jurisdicciones de Buenaventura, Tumaco, Guapi y Bahía Solano … En caso de emergencia, comunicarse a las líneas 146 o 112 de la Estación de Guardacostas y Policia Nacional, respectivamente, ó al canal 16 del VHF marino”; cgfm.mil.co (checked 2026-10-14) — “La Estación de Guardacostas de Buenaventura, Unidad adscrita a la Fuerza Naval del Pacífico, atendió el llamado de emergencia realizado a través de la línea 146”; cgfm.mil.co 3 Jun 2024 — “a la línea de emergencias 146 de Guardacostas, disponible las 24 horas”
Source: dimar.mil.co “Dispositivo de DIMAR refuerza la seguridad marítima en el Pacífico durante Semana Santa” · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
dimar.mil.co “Dispositivo de DIMAR refuerza la seguridad marítima en el Pacífico durante Semana Santa” (27/03/2026; checked 2026-10-14) — “en las jurisdicciones de Buenaventura, Tumaco, Guapi y Bahía Solano … En caso de emergencia, comunicarse a las líneas 146 o 112 de la Estación de Guardacostas y Policia Nacional, respectivamente, ó al canal 16 del VHF marino”; cgfm.mil.co (checked 2026-10-14) — “La Estación de Guardacostas de Buenaventura, Unidad adscrita a la Fuerza Naval del Pacífico, atendió el llamado de emergencia realizado a través de la línea 146”; cgfm.mil.co 3 Jun 2024 — “a la línea de emergencias 146 de Guardacostas, disponible las 24 horas”
In port areas with a maritime traffic-control station, recreational boats report their departure to the traffic-control station on VHF 16.
DIMAR (Res. 0408/2015) ▾
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “El capitán o patrón de nave, al momento del zarpe, reportará a la Estación de control de tráfico marítimo por comunicación VHF Canal 16”
Weather and season
Port captaincies broadcast colour-coded sea-state alerts for recreational boating on VHF 16. Under a red alert, all water sports and recreational activities are banned.
DIMAR (Res. 0408/2015) · DIMAR (Res. 0408/2015) ▾
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “Las alertas serán promulgadas por la Capitanía de Puerto por VHF canal 16”
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “restricción total para la realización de deportes náuticos y actividades recreativas”
UK travel advice says hurricanes and tropical storms, though uncommon, can affect Colombia's Caribbean coast and the San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina archipelago. It gives no official season dates.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Although uncommon, hurricanes and tropical storms can affect the Caribbean coast and the Archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
Colombian-flag recreational boats must carry lifejackets for 100% of people on board, including children's sizes. A certified lifejacket is mandatory for all water sports (except freediving and underwater swimming).
DIMAR (Res. 0659/2015) · DIMAR (Res. 0408/2015) ▾
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “Chalecos Salvavidas: En número suficiente para el 100% del personal a bordo, incluyendo cantidad y tamaño de chalecos suficientes para niños.”
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “Chaleco salvavidas certificados para cada actividad serán obligatorios para todos los deportes náuticos y actividades náuticas, excepto el buceo en apnea y natación subacuática.”
Anyone skippering a recreational boat must hold a licence from the Colombian Maritime Authority (DIMAR) or the equivalent document from another country.
DIMAR (Res. 0408/2015) ▾
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “Acreditar su idoneidad con una licencia expedida para tal fin por la Autoridad Marítima de Colombia o el documento equivalente de otro país.”
Official warnings
The UK advises against all but essential travel to most of Chocó on the Pacific coast (except Quibdó, Nuquí, Bahía Solano and Capurganá) and to western Valle del Cauca, including Buenaventura.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “FCDO advises against all but essential travel to: Chocó Department, except for the department capital Quibdó, the towns of Nuquí and Bahía Solano and Capurganá the western part of Valle del Cauca Department, including Buenaventura”
Arriving by boat
Foreign recreational yachts on non-commercial voyages follow DIMAR's voluntary-arrival procedure (Resolution 143 of 2013). A stay permit covers under 60 days, and Port Captains can grant longer stays. Yachts moving between captaincies on the same coast must carry a satellite tracking device, and a clearance (zarpe) is required to go to the other coast or to a foreign port.
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “cumplirán con el procedimiento para autorizar su arribo voluntario estipulado en la Resolución 143 de 2013”
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “permiso de permanencia para naves con matrícula extranjera por un término menor a sesenta (60) días que trata el Decreto 1423 de 1989, se delega a los Capitanes de Puerto la expedición de permisos de permanencia superiores a dicho término”
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “deberán portar con un equipo de sistema de seguimiento satelital”
dimar.mil.co (2026-10-14): “Cuando la nave se dirija a otro litoral del territorio colombiano o vaya a puerto extranjero, deberá solicitar el zarpe expedido por la Capitanía de Puerto.”
What number do I call for help at sea in Colombia?+
In Colombia, call 146. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Colombia?+
The general emergency number in Colombia is 123. Many mobile phones also pass 112 on to the local emergency service, but we found no official confirmation for Colombia. In a sea emergency, call 146.
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.
Do I need a licence to skipper a boat in Colombia?+
Anyone skippering a recreational boat must hold a licence from the Colombian Maritime Authority (DIMAR) or the equivalent document from another country.
When is the storm season in Colombia?+
UK travel advice says hurricanes and tropical storms, though uncommon, can affect Colombia's Caribbean coast and the San Andrés, Providencia and Santa Catalina archipelago. It gives no official season dates.
Are life jackets compulsory in Colombia?+
Colombian-flag recreational boats must carry lifejackets for 100% of people on board, including children's sizes. A certified lifejacket is mandatory for all water sports (except freediving and underwater swimming).
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Colombia?+
Port captaincies broadcast colour-coded sea-state alerts for recreational boating on VHF 16. Under a red alert, all water sports and recreational activities are banned.
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