In Mexico, call 911 and ask for the Navy (Marina). Navy (SEMAR) toll-free line, Mexican phones: 800 627 4621. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Source: gob.mx · authority’s own page · checked 14 October 2026 Official wording ▾
gob.mx/semar/prensa (Comunicado 069/2026, 11 Oct 2026; Operación Salvavidas Verano 2026, 1 Jul 2026) — “Para atención de emergencias en la mar, la Secretaría de Marina pone a disposición … el número telefónico 800 627 4621 (800 MARINA1)”; 911: SEMAR Subjefatura de Búsqueda y Rescate via Crónica (7 Sep 2026) “mediante el número 800 MARINA (800 627 4621) o a través del 911, desde donde las llamadas relacionadas con incidentes marítimos son canalizadas al Sistema de Búsqueda y Rescate”; SEMAR Comunicado RN3 015/2020: rescue “tras recibir el reporte de la línea de auxilio 911 de Campeche”
911Ask for the Navy (Marina)Navy (SEMAR) toll-free line, Mexican phones: 800 627 4621
Boating in Mexico: what to know
From official sources · checked 2026-10-14
On the radio
Mexico's coast stations receive distress calls on VHF channel 70 (DSC) or voice channel 16.
Financiera para el Bienestar (Government of Mexico) ▾
gob.mx (2026-10-14): “a través del canal 70 para enlace selectivo digital o por el canal 16 para señales analógicas.”
There are 6 coast stations along the Pacific coast and 7 on the Gulf.
Financiera para el Bienestar (Government of Mexico) · Financiera para el Bienestar (Government of Mexico) ▾
gob.mx (2026-10-14): “La llamada es recibida por alguna de las 6 estaciones costeras que se encuentran a lo largo del Pacífico”
gob.mx (2026-10-14): “por las 7 estaciones costeras que se encuentran en el Golfo”
Weather and season
The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) meteorology service publishes marine forecasts for the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean and for the Pacific: a synopsis at 05:00 and forecasts at 08:00, 12:00 and 20:00.
Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR), Meteorología ▾
meteorologia.semar.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “Golfo de México y Mar Caribe Síntesis 05 hrs. Pronóstico 08 hrs. Pronóstico 12 hrs. Pronóstico 20 hrs. Océano Pacífico”
Tropical cyclone season: Pacific coast 15 May – 30 November; Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean 1 June – 30 November.
Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR), Meteorología ▾
meteorologia.semar.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “EL DÍA 15 DE MAYO INICIA LA TEMPORADA DE CICLONES TROPICALES EN EL LITORAL DEL OCÉANO PACÍFICO Y EL 1RO. DE JUNIO INICIA EN EL GOLFO DE MÉXICO Y MAR CARIBE, FINALIZANDO PARA AMBOS EL 30 DE NOVIEMBRE”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
NOM-034-SEMAR-2024 covers Mexican boats up to 15 m. It requires lifejackets with a light and whistle, and Type III jackets on trips over 45 minutes. It is written for Mexican-flagged (nacionales) boats.
Diario Oficial de la Federación (SEMAR) · Diario Oficial de la Federación (SEMAR) · Diario Oficial de la Federación (SEMAR) ▾
sidof.segob.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “para embarcaciones nacionales, hasta 15 metros de eslora”
sidof.segob.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “Chaleco salvavidas con luz automática o manual y silbato”
sidof.segob.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “toda embarcación que realice viajes que excedan de 45 minutos deberán de utilizar chalecos tipo III.”
Anyone offering recreational boats, Mexican or foreign-flagged, to third parties for nautical tourism needs a Nautical Tourism Permit (Permiso de Turismo Náutico) from the Navy (SEMAR).
Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) ▾
gob.mx (2026-10-14): “permiso para prestar servicios de Turismo Náutico a terceros con embarcaciones recreo y deportivas mexicanas o extranjeras”
Official warnings
Pirates attack and rob ships in coastal waters of the Bay of Campeche.
Government of Canada (travel.gc.ca) ▾
travel.gc.ca (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Pirates commit attacks and armed robberies against ships in coastal waters in the Bay of Campeche.”
Sea conditions can be unpredictable and some beaches are unpatrolled. Follow coastguard and local guidance on whether it is safe to swim.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Sea conditions can be unpredictable, and some beaches are unpatrolled. Follow coastguard and local authority guidance on whether it is safe to swim.”
Divers: recompression
The state-run Hospital General de Cozumel (Quintana Roo health services) has a hyperbaric chamber for hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The source is a 2022 archived page, so confirm the chamber is working before you rely on it.
Servicios Estatales de Salud de Quintana Roo ▾
web.archive.org (2026-10-14, archived): “se instaló la Cámara Hiperbárica para proporcionar servicio médico especializado en oxigenación hiperbárica.”
Arriving by boat
A yacht arriving from abroad must get arrival authorisation from the harbour master (Capitanía de Puerto) at its first Mexican port. Recreational boats need a temporary import permit (TIP), valid 10 years, which can be applied for online through Banjercito. A foreign-resident importer must also present a declaration from a Mexico resident who accepts joint liability for any taxes owed.
Secretaría de Marina (SEMAR) · Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) · Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) · Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) · Agencia Nacional de Aduanas de México (ANAM) ▾
gob.mx (2026-10-14): “Cuando una embarcación menor nacional o extranjera de recreo y deportiva solicite su arribo al puerto, proveniente de un puerto en el extranjero”
anam.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “El plazo a que se sujetará la importación temporal de la embarcación será de 10 años”
anam.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “Por internet a través de la página www.gob.mx/banjercito”
anam.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “Manifestación de un residente en México”
anam.gob.mx (2026-10-14): “Que asuma la responsabilidad solidaria de los créditos fiscales.”
In Mexico, call 911 and ask for the Navy (Marina). Navy (SEMAR) toll-free line, Mexican phones: 800 627 4621. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in Mexico?+
911 is the number the authorities in Mexico give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for Mexico.
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 Mexico?+
Tropical cyclone season: Pacific coast 15 May – 30 November; Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean 1 June – 30 November.
Are life jackets compulsory in Mexico?+
NOM-034-SEMAR-2024 covers Mexican boats up to 15 m. It requires lifejackets with a light and whistle, and Type III jackets on trips over 45 minutes. It is written for Mexican-flagged (nacionales) boats.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for Mexico?+
The Mexican Navy (SEMAR) meteorology service publishes marine forecasts for the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean and for the Pacific: a synopsis at 05:00 and forecasts at 08:00, 12:00 and 20:00.
Change history
United States: the Sector San Diego and Corpus Christi areas and the 911 catch-all now end at the Mexican boundary; Sector Miami no longer takes in Bimini (Bahamas); Sector Key West ends at the US–Cuba line (24° N).
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