In Curaçao, 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.”
Weather and season
The Meteorological Department Curaçao publishes a daily marine forecast for the seas around Curaçao at meteo.cw.
Meteorological Department Curaçao ▾
meteo.cw (2026-10-14): “MARINE FORECAST FOR SEAS AROUND CURAÇAO”
Hurricane season is 1 June – 30 November; most hurricanes pass well north of Curaçao, 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 Dutch Caribbean normally runs from June to November. Most hurricanes pass well to the north of Curaçao, which has no record of a recent major hurricane. There are occasional tropical storms.”
Divers: recompression
Curaçao Medical Center (CMC) in Willemstad runs a hyperbaric chamber (10 people) and treats decompression sickness and arterial gas embolism.
Curaçao Medical Center · Curaçao Medical Center ▾
cmc.cw (2026-10-14): “Our Hyperbaric chamber at CMC is designed to accommodate 10 people.”
cmc.cw (2026-10-14): “Hyperbaric oxygen therapy alone can often effectively treat decompression sickness, arterial gas embolism and severe carbon monoxide poisoning.”
Arriving by boat
Within 24 hours of arrival report to Customs at the Punda customs office and keep the customs statement on board; a visiting yacht may be temporarily imported duty-free for personal use for up to six months.
douane.cw (2026-10-14): “Binnen 24 uur na aankomst met het pleziervaartuig meldt u zich bij de Douane (douanekantoor Punda, zie het laatste blad van deze brochure)”
douane.cw (2026-10-14): “De tijdelijke invoer kent een maximale termijn van zes maanden.”
What number do I call for help at sea in Curaçao?+
In Curaçao, 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 Curaçao?+
The general emergency number in Curaçao is 911. Many mobile phones also pass 112 on to the local emergency service, but we found no official confirmation for Curaçao. 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 Curaçao?+
Hurricane season is 1 June – 30 November; most hurricanes pass well north of Curaçao, but tropical storms occur.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Curaçao?+
The Meteorological Department Curaçao publishes a daily marine forecast for the seas around Curaçao at meteo.cw.
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