Source: mer.gouv.fr · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
mer.gouv.fr/surveillance-et-sauvetage-en-mer (checked 2026-10-14) — “En outre-mer, le maillage comprend 2 CROSS (La Réunion et Antilles) […] En cas d’urgence sur le littoral, contactez-les par téléphone au 196”; “appelez le 196 ou le 112”; CROSS SOI bilan 2022: “numéro d’urgence pour la mer (196)”
The regional MRCC is CROSS Sud océan Indien at the Port des Galets naval base in Réunion. It handles search and rescue and navigation surveillance; the surveillance mission is set by order of the prefects of Réunion and, by delegation, Mayotte. The pages checked do not say whether Mayotte has a separate sub-centre.
Direction de la mer sud océan Indien (DMSOI) · Direction de la mer sud océan Indien (DMSOI) · Direction de la mer sud océan Indien (DMSOI) ▾
dm.sud-ocean-indien.developpement-durable.gouv.fr (2026-10-14): “Le CROSS assume la mission "recherche et sauvetage", celles de surveillance de la navigation, de surveillance des pollutions, de diffusion d’informations nautiques et météorologiques.”
Météo-France Mayotte publishes marine forecasts for the lagoon and the open sea (grand large), including forecasts for the ACK.
Météo-France Mayotte ▾
meteofrance.yt (2026-10-14): “Sur notre site Internet, retrouvez les prévisions météo marine de Météo-France à Mayotte avec les prévisions pour le lagon, le grand large, pour les ACK ainsi que la frontologie.”
Cyclones usually occur from November to April (Canada); the UK says the season normally runs from December to April. Some services may still be disrupted after Cyclone Chido (2024).
Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Cyclones usually occur from November to April.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The cyclone season in Mayotte normally runs from December to April.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Most services in Mayotte have now been restored following Cyclone Chido in 2024, but some outages (including drinking water and electricity) may still occur.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
French safety-equipment rules (Division 240) apply. Each person aboard must have a personal flotation device suited to their build, and the skipper must check that everyone has one.
Ministère chargé de la mer (France) · Ministère chargé de la mer (France) ▾
mer.gouv.fr (2026-10-14): “Le chef de bord doit s’assurer que chaque personne possède bien son équipement.”
mer.gouv.fr (2026-10-14): “Ils doivent être adaptés à la morphologie des personnes embarquées.”
French rules apply. The motorboat licence with the coastal option allows navigation up to 6 nm from a shelter. Boats owned by people whose main residence is in France must follow French licence and safety-equipment rules whatever their flag. No rule specific to foreign visitors was found.
Direction de la mer sud océan Indien (DMSOI) · Ministère chargé de la mer (France) ▾
dm.sud-ocean-indien.developpement-durable.gouv.fr (2026-10-14): “Le permis de conduire des bateaux de plaisance à moteur avec option côtière permet de naviguer jusqu’à 6 milles nautiques (environ 11km) d’un abri.”
mer.gouv.fr (2026-10-14): “Quel que soit leur pavillon, les navires de plaisance appartenant à des personnes ayant leur résidence principale en France sont soumis, dans les eaux territoriales françaises, aux même règles de matériel de sécurité et de permis plaisance que les navires français.”
Official warnings
There is a significant piracy risk in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. Counter-piracy forces advise sailing yachts not to enter the designated high-risk area.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “There is a significant risk of piracy in the Gulf of Aden and Indian Ocean. The threat assessment of the combined international naval counter-piracy forces is that sailing yachts should not enter the designated high-risk area due to the risk of hijacking.”
What number do I call for help at sea in Mayotte?+
In Mayotte, call CROSS Sud Océan Indien on 196. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Mayotte?+
Yes, 112 also works, but 196 reaches the rescue centre directly — one transfer fewer.
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 Mayotte?+
French rules apply. The motorboat licence with the coastal option allows navigation up to 6 nm from a shelter. Boats owned by people whose main residence is in France must follow French licence and safety-equipment rules whatever their flag. No rule specific to foreign visitors was found.
When is the storm season in Mayotte?+
Cyclones usually occur from November to April (Canada); the UK says the season normally runs from December to April. Some services may still be disrupted after Cyclone Chido (2024).
Are life jackets compulsory in Mayotte?+
French safety-equipment rules (Division 240) apply. Each person aboard must have a personal flotation device suited to their build, and the skipper must check that everyone has one.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Mayotte?+
Météo-France Mayotte publishes marine forecasts for the lagoon and the open sea (grand large), including forecasts for the ACK.
Necessary cookies are always on. Analytics and marketing — including the Meta pixel used for Facebook and Instagram ads — load only if you allow. App location is never used for ads.