In Hong Kong, call MRCC Hong Kong on +852 2233 7999. Police, fire, ambulance: 999. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Source: mardep.gov.hk · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
mardep.gov.hk/en/public-services/port-services/search-and-rescue/ (checked 2026-10-14) — “Tel : (852) 2233 7999”, “HK MRCC operates 7 x 24 hours with a Marine Officer as the duty controller”; gov.hk safetyboating: “you may contact the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre by telephone at 2233 7999 immediately”
The Hong Kong MRCC is staffed 24 hours a day with a GMDSS operator on duty. In an emergency call the Vessel Traffic Centre on VHF 02, 12, 14, 63 or 67, or phone the MRCC on +852 2233 7999.
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “HK MRCC operates 7 x 24 hours with a Marine Officer as the duty controller and a Marine Inspector Grade I officer as Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS) Operator on duty”
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “call the Vessel Traffic Centre (VTC), either on V.H.F. (channel 02, 12, 14, 63, 67) … contact the Hong Kong Maritime Rescue Coordination Centre by telephone at 2233 7999”
The Vessel Traffic Centre (call sign "Mardep") keeps a continuous watch on VHF 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67. Visiting yachts at designated anchorages must keep a continuous watch on the designated VHF channel.
Marine Department, HKSAR ▾
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “The Vessel Traffic Centre , call sign "Mardep" maintains a continuous listening watch on channel 02, 12, 14, 63 and 67. … the vessel must maintain a continuous listening watch on the designated VHF channel.”
Weather and season
Hong Kong Observatory marine forecasts for 10 sea areas go out on NAVTEX from Hong Kong Coast Radio Station daily at 0150, 0550, 0950, 1350, 1750 and 2150 UTC.
Hong Kong Observatory ▾
weather.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “NAVTEX* broadcast by Hong Kong Coast Radio Station. Daily at 0150, 0550, 0950, 1350, 1750 & 2150 Co-ordinated Universal Time (UTC)**.”
Tropical cyclones can strike Hong Kong from May to November and are most likely from July to September.
Hong Kong Observatory ▾
hko.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “May to November are the months during which tropical cyclones of different intensities may strike Hong Kong, while July to September are the most likely months with tropical cyclones affecting Hong Kong.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
Every local pleasure vessel must carry a suitable life jacket for each person on board, and passengers should wear them. On small open cruisers (up to 3 m, up to 3 kW) everyone must wear one.
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “A suitable lifejacket* must be provided to each person (adult/ child) on board”
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “All persons on board the vessel shall wear lifejackets.”
Visiting yachts need at least one qualified operator holding e.g. an STCW master/officer certificate, an operator's certificate from an administration, or an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster, plus a passed local knowledge exam or approved course. Locally licensed powered pleasure vessels need a Hong Kong Pleasure Vessel Operator Certificate of Competency.
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “not less than one qualified operator … RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Coastal/Offshore/Ocean Certificate of Competency. … passing a local knowledge examination or successfully completion of an approved local knowledge training course”
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “any persons operating a pleasure vessel fitted with an engine shall hold a relevant Pleasure Vessel Operator Certificate of Competency.”
A local pleasure vessel may be let for hire only with the Director of Marine's endorsement and a written charter agreement (plus valid licence, inspection and insurance). Visiting yachts must not be rented out or carry paying passengers.
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “A local pleasure vessel must not be let for hire or reward unless it has the following valid documents: … Director’s Endorsement … Written Charter Agreement”
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “Don't rent out the yacht or carry passengers for reward”
Official warnings
Tropical cyclones here are often severe, with winds frequently over 150 km/h. Do not anchor in submarine cable areas, and do not swim, dive or boat inside marine reserves.
Marine Department, HKSAR ▾
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “Tropical cyclones in this area are often severe with winds frequently exceeding 150km/hr. … Don't drop anchor or come into contact with the seabed in areas marked as "Submarine Cable Area" … Don't swim, dive or carry out any boating activities within a marine reserve”
Divers: recompression
Per the Labour Department diving code (1998 edition), the Fire Services Department arranges transfer of decompression-sickness patients to the Recompression Treatment Centre on Ngong Shuen Chau (Stonecutters Island). Call police (999) or the Fire Services Communication Centre (+852 2723 2233).
Labour Department, HKSAR ▾
labour.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “the Fire Services Department may be summoned for assistance for arranging the patient to be sent to the Recompression Treatment Centre located at Ngong Shuen Chau … Hong Kong Police Force (Tel: 999) or to the Communication Centre of the Fire Services Department (Tel: 2723 2233).”
Arriving by boat
Send a Pre-Arrival Notification to the Marine Department at least 24 hours before entering Hong Kong waters, and report arrival at a District Marine Office within 24 hours of arriving. Cruising requires third-party insurance of at least HK$5,000,000.
Marine Department, HKSAR ▾
mardep.gov.hk (2026-10-14): “Not less than 24 hours prior to entering into Hong Kong waters … providing a Pre-Arrival Notification ("PAN") … within 24 hours after the vessels' arrival, report their arrival at one of the District Marine Offices … third party risks insurance policy of not less than HK$5,000,000 coverage”
What number do I call for help at sea in Hong Kong?+
In Hong Kong, call MRCC Hong Kong on +852 2233 7999. Police, fire, ambulance: 999. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Hong Kong?+
The general emergency number in Hong Kong is 999. Many mobile phones also pass 112 on to the local emergency service, but we found no official confirmation for Hong Kong. In a sea emergency, call +852 2233 7999.
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 Hong Kong?+
Visiting yachts need at least one qualified operator holding e.g. an STCW master/officer certificate, an operator's certificate from an administration, or an RYA/MCA Yachtmaster, plus a passed local knowledge exam or approved course. Locally licensed powered pleasure vessels need a Hong Kong Pleasure Vessel Operator Certificate of Competency.
When is the storm season in Hong Kong?+
Tropical cyclones can strike Hong Kong from May to November and are most likely from July to September.
Are life jackets compulsory in Hong Kong?+
Every local pleasure vessel must carry a suitable life jacket for each person on board, and passengers should wear them. On small open cruisers (up to 3 m, up to 3 kW) everyone must wear one.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Hong Kong?+
Hong Kong Observatory marine forecasts for 10 sea areas go out on NAVTEX from Hong Kong Coast Radio Station daily at 0150, 0550, 0950, 1350, 1750 and 2150 UTC.
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