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In Réunion, call CROSS Sud Océan Indien on 196. 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
Search and rescue is run by CROSS Sud océan Indien (an MRCC) at the Port des Galets naval base. It also monitors shipping and broadcasts nautical and weather information.
Météo-France La Réunion publishes coastal (Côte), offshore (Large) and high-seas (Grand Large) marine forecasts and special weather bulletins (BMS). The Direction de la mer links to them.
Cyclones usually occur from November to April (Canada); the UK says the season normally runs from December to April. Official Météo-France season dates could not be retrieved.
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.
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.
There have been shark attacks in Réunion. Follow local advice on which beaches are safe.
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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 Réunion, call CROSS Sud Océan Indien on 196. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Yes, 112 also works, but 196 reaches the rescue centre directly — one transfer fewer.
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.
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.
Cyclones usually occur from November to April (Canada); the UK says the season normally runs from December to April. Official Météo-France season dates could not be retrieved.
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.
Météo-France La Réunion publishes coastal (Côte), offshore (Large) and high-seas (Grand Large) marine forecasts and special weather bulletins (BMS). The Direction de la mer links to them.
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