Along the coast of Ecuador, 2 rescue centres share the work: Armada · Guayaquil Radio +593 4 248 0176; Armada · Galápagos (Puerto Ayora Radio) +593 5 252 7473. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Source: dirnea.org · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
dirnea.org/servicio-maritimo (checked 2026-10-14) — “Red Nacional de Estaciones Costeras del Servicio Móvil Marítimo para la seguridad de la vida humana en el mar del Ecuador Horario de servicio, 24 horas”; “Estación Costera Guayaquil-Radio” MMSI 007354750: “TELÉFONO RED-PÚBLICA: (04)2480176 (Solo emergencias marítimas) TELEFONÍA CELULAR: +593979655748 (Solo emergencias marítimas)”; ecu911.gob.ec (archived 2026-05-21) — “Una llamada a la línea única para emergencias 9-1-1 alertó sobre un grupo de 18 personas que naufragaron en altamar … coordinación necesaria con personal técnico de Fuerzas Armadas del Ecuador”
Source: dirnea.org · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
dirnea.org/servicio-maritimo (checked 2026-10-14) — “Horario de servicio, 24 horas”; “Estación Costera Puerto Ayora - Radio” MMSI 007354757, Región Insular: “TELÉFONO RED-PÚBLICA: +59352527473 (Solo emergencias marítimas)”; ecu911.gob.ec (archived 2026-03-09) — “una llamada a la línea única para emergencias 9-1-1, alertaron sobre el hundimiento de una embarcación, ubicada en Bahía Academia, Santa Cruz – Galápagos … coordinación necesaria con Fuerzas Armadas (FFAA) … con el apoyo del Personal de la Capitanía de Puerto Ayora”
INOCAR, the Ecuadorian Navy's oceanographic institute (inocar.mil.ec), publishes notices to mariners, port weather reports, El Niño bulletins and swell and spring-tide ('oleaje y aguaje') bulletins.
Instituto Oceanográfico y Antártico de la Armada (INOCAR) ▾
web.archive.org (2026-10-14, archived): “Boletines Avisos a los navegantes Reporte meteorológico portuario ERFEN - El Niño BAC - El Niño Oleaje y aguaje”
Official warnings
UK travel advice reports piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Ecuador's waters.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There has been piracy and armed robbery against ships in and around Ecuador’s waters.”
UK travel advice reports several serious accidents involving tour boats and smaller inter-island boats in the Galápagos. It says some smaller boats do not follow safety measures.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There have been several serious accidents in the Galapagos Islands involving tour company boats and smaller vessels transporting people between islands.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Some of the smaller boats do not follow safety measures”
In the Galápagos protected areas, water-skiing, kitesurfing, drones, jet skis and spearfishing for tourism or sport are banned.
Parque Nacional Galápagos – Resolución 0000027 (2021) ▾
galapagos.gob.ec (2026-10-14): “el uso de esquí acuático, submarinos, kitesurf, scooter, drone, jet esquí o moto acuática en todas sus modalidades, la pesca submarina con fines turísticos y deportivos”
Arriving by boat
Visiting the Galápagos by private yacht needs two authorisations. Ecuador's Director General de Intereses Marítimos authorises entry by an 'autógrafo', and the Galápagos National Park Director authorises the visit by resolution. Foreign yachts may be granted up to two visit itineraries, on different dates and of at most 15 days each.
Parque Nacional Galápagos – Resolución 0000027 (2021) · Parque Nacional Galápagos – Resolución 0000027 (2021) · Parque Nacional Galápagos – Resolución 0000027 (2021) · Parque Nacional Galápagos – Resolución 0000027 (2021) ▾
galapagos.gob.ec (2026-10-14): “Acuerdo No. 035-2021 (AUTÓGRAFO) de fecha 18 de marzo de 2021, el Director General de Intereses Marítimos autoriza el ingreso”
galapagos.gob.ec (2026-10-14): “autorizar a través de resoluciones administrativas el ingreso de naves extranjeras o nacionales”
galapagos.gob.ec (2026-10-14): “uso de veleros y naves extranjeras”
galapagos.gob.ec (2026-10-14): “Se podrá otorgar hasta dos itinerarios de visita, en fechas distintas y con una duración máxima de quince días cada uno”
What number do I call for help at sea in Ecuador?+
Along the coast of Ecuador, 2 rescue centres share the work: Armada · Guayaquil Radio +593 4 248 0176; Armada · Galápagos (Puerto Ayora Radio) +593 5 252 7473. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Ecuador?+
The general emergency number in Ecuador is 911. Many mobile phones also pass 112 on to the local emergency service, but we found no official confirmation for Ecuador. In a sea emergency, call the regional centre’s line listed above.
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.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Ecuador?+
INOCAR, the Ecuadorian Navy's oceanographic institute (inocar.mil.ec), publishes notices to mariners, port weather reports, El Niño bulletins and swell and spring-tide ('oleaje y aguaje') bulletins.
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