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In Fiji, call 911, the national emergency number, and say you are at sea. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
See it on the rescue map → Print an emergency card →
From official sources · checked 2026-10-14
Fiji Meteorological Service issues the marine weather bulletins and tropical cyclone updates; MSAF says they are transmitted by Suva Coast Radio Station (3DP) and also broadcast by commercial radio stations.
The southwest Pacific tropical cyclone season runs from November to April; cyclones have occasionally formed in October and May and rarely in September and June.
Under Fiji's Navigation Safety Regulations a recreational craft must carry enough correctly sized personal flotation devices for everyone on board, in a readily accessible place. Everyone on board must wear one when tides, poor visibility, rough seas, bad weather, emergencies or other situations make it dangerous.
Fiji's Pleasure Craft Regulations (which apply to Fiji-registered pleasure craft) require the owner or operator of a propelled pleasure craft to know basic navigation and the COLREGs and hold at least a Boat Master Licence or an equivalent certificate. Under the Small Craft Code, holders of RYA or US Coast Guard amateur qualifications (or equivalents MSAF recognises) may be issued an equivalent licence without further examination, at MSAF's discretion.
There are dangerous rip tides along reefs and river estuaries.
Fiji's only hyperbaric (recompression) chamber is at Colonial War Memorial Hospital in Suva, and it is not always working; check its status before diving.
Yachts must email the Advance Notification (Form C2C) to Fiji Revenue & Customs Service at least 48 hours before arrival. The UK FCDO lists Suva, Lautoka, Savusavu and Levuka as yacht entry ports; other ports such as Nadi and Denarau need prior agreement.
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Who you are, where you are (latitude and longitude), what happened, how many people are aboard, and what your boat looks like.
How to make a MAYDAY call →That is a job for marine assistance, not sea rescue — keep the rescue line free for lives.
Mayday or a tow? →In Fiji, call 911, the national emergency number, and say you are at sea. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
911 is the number the authorities in Fiji give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for Fiji.
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.
Fiji's Pleasure Craft Regulations (which apply to Fiji-registered pleasure craft) require the owner or operator of a propelled pleasure craft to know basic navigation and the COLREGs and hold at least a Boat Master Licence or an equivalent certificate. Under the Small Craft Code, holders of RYA or US Coast Guard amateur qualifications (or equivalents MSAF recognises) may be issued an equivalent licence without further examination, at MSAF's discretion.
The southwest Pacific tropical cyclone season runs from November to April; cyclones have occasionally formed in October and May and rarely in September and June.
Under Fiji's Navigation Safety Regulations a recreational craft must carry enough correctly sized personal flotation devices for everyone on board, in a readily accessible place. Everyone on board must wear one when tides, poor visibility, rough seas, bad weather, emergencies or other situations make it dangerous.
Fiji Meteorological Service issues the marine weather bulletins and tropical cyclone updates; MSAF says they are transmitted by Suva Coast Radio Station (3DP) and also broadcast by commercial radio stations.
Numbers change. If this one has, tell us: support@vesselsos.com