EMERGENCY NUMBERS · MOROCCO

Morocco: who to call at sea

Last verified:

SHORT ANSWER

In Morocco, call MRCC Rabat on +212 537 625 877. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

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Who answers in Morocco

Local language: Arabic, French. English is not confirmed by the source.
MRCC Rabat
Source: Cospas-Sarsat SPOC list · Cospas-Sarsat contact list (national data) · checked 14 October 2026
Official wording ▾
Cospas-Sarsat SPOC list (record 2025-03-11; checked 2026-10-14) — “MRCC Morocco Bouznika … Primary telephone: +212 537 625 877”; ICCAT Morocco EAP (2021): “MRCC Rabat contact information: Tel.: +212 537625877”; IMO SAR.8/Circ.4: “+212 5 37 62 58 77 (Emegency)”, “All SAR OPS are supervised by MRCC Rabat 24h/24 and 7 days/7”, “VHF VOICE call sing: MRCC Rabat”
+212 537 625 877

Boating in Morocco: what to know

From official sources · checked 2026-10-14

Weather and season

Maroc Météo (Direction Générale de la Météorologie, marocmeteo.ma/fr/marine) runs a 24/7 marine service. It issues marine alert bulletins, a maritime vigilance map and coastal navigation forecasts, including for the Mediterranean and the Strait of Gibraltar.

Direction Générale de la Météorologie (Maroc Météo) · Direction Générale de la Météorologie (Maroc Météo) · Direction Générale de la Météorologie (Maroc Météo) ▾
marocmeteo.ma (2026-10-14): “Ainsi, Maroc Météo veille, avec une assistance H24 et 7j/7, à assurer la sauvegarde de la vie humaine et des biens sur la côte et en mer.”
marocmeteo.ma (2026-10-14): “Bulletin d’Alerte Marine”
marocmeteo.ma (2026-10-14): “Carte Vigilance Maritime”

Official warnings

Many beaches have little or no lifeguard cover, and strong currents and unexpected waves can occur.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “Many beaches in Morocco have limited or no lifeguard cover, and safety signage may be minimal. Strong currents and unexpected waves can occur.”

Arriving by boat

Private boats must enter at a recognised port of entry; entering anywhere else is illegal. Within 24 hours of arriving at the first port, a non-resident skipper must file a temporary-admission declaration (form D716) with customs. Admission lasts 6 months, or 18 months for a private yacht staying in a Moroccan marina.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office · Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (Maroc) – 'A votre arrivée au Maroc' · Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (Maroc) – Circulaire n° 6659/311 du 28 mai 2025 · Administration des Douanes et Impôts Indirects (Maroc) – Circulaire n° 6659/311 du 28 mai 2025 ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “If you arrive by private boat, you must enter at a recognised port of entry. It is illegal to enter through other ports.”
web.archive.org (2026-10-14, archived): “Au premier port d’entrée, dès votre arrivée en tant que plaisancier résidant à l’étranger, et au plus tard dans les 24 heures qui suivent, vous êtes tenu de souscrire auprès du bureau de douane du port d’attache, une déclaration d’admission temporaire, conforme au modèle D716.”
web.archive.org (2026-10-14, archived): “Les moyens de transport maritimes à usage privé (bateaux de plaisance), destinés à séjourner dans un port de plaisance marocain, appartenant à des personnes ayant leur résidence habituelle à l’étranger, peuvent bénéficier d'un délai de séjour de 18 mois sous le régime de l'admission temporaire.”
web.archive.org (2026-10-14, archived): “Les autres engins de sport nautique (jet ski et similaires) ainsi que les bateaux qui n'accostent pas dans un port de plaisance continuent à bénéficier du délai d'admission temporaire de 06 mois.”

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What to say when they answer

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 →

Engine trouble, nobody in danger?

That is a job for marine assistance, not sea rescue — keep the rescue line free for lives.

Mayday or a tow? →

Frequently asked

What number do I call for help at sea in Morocco?+

In Morocco, call MRCC Rabat on +212 537 625 877. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Does 112 work in Morocco?+

We found no official source confirming that 112 reaches sea rescue in Morocco. Call +212 537 625 877.

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 Morocco?+

Maroc Météo (Direction Générale de la Météorologie, marocmeteo.ma/fr/marine) runs a 24/7 marine service. It issues marine alert bulletins, a maritime vigilance map and coastal navigation forecasts, including for the Mediterranean and the Strait of Gibraltar.

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