In St Vincent & the Grenadines, call 999, the national emergency number, and say you are at sea. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Boating in St Vincent & the Grenadines: what to know
From official sources · checked 2026-10-14
Weather and season
The SVG Meteorological Services (Argyle) issues forecasts with sea conditions and marine advisories/warnings at meteo.gov.vc.
St. Vincent and the Grenadines Meteorological Services ▾
meteo.gov.vc (2026-10-14): “Sea Conditions: Slight in open waters, with swells 0.5m to 1.2m Marine Advisory/Warning: None”
Hurricane season is 1 June – 30 November.
NOAA National Hurricane Center · UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
nhc.noaa.gov (2026-10-14, intl): “The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30. The Atlantic basin includes the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of America.”
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “The hurricane season in the Caribbean runs from June to November.”
Rules: life jackets, licence, charter
Charter boats must hold an SVG Cruising Licence. For bareboat charter, the Ministry of Tourism says experienced sailors complete a sailing résumé for the charter company; it does not mention a national licence.
Ministry of Tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Ministry of Tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines ▾
tourism.gov.vc (2026-10-14): “charter boats must be in possession of a St. Vincent & The Grenadines Cruising License.”
tourism.gov.vc (2026-10-14): “Simply complete a resume outlining your experience and the charter company will help you choose just the right yacht for you.”
Official warnings
Monitor the alert level of Kick 'em Jenny, the submarine volcano off Grenada, and keep out of its maritime exclusion zones.
UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾
gov.uk (2026-10-14, gov-travel): “You should also monitor the alert level of the underwater volcano Kick ‘em Jenny, located 5 miles off the coast of nearby Grenada. Keep out of maritime exclusion zones and follow the advice of local authorities if there is increased volcanic activity or an eruption.”
Arriving by boat
Go directly to a designated port of entry before stopping anywhere else; fly the Q flag and only the captain goes ashore with three crew lists, last clearance, passports and ship's papers. Private yachts pay a Cruise Tax; clear out at an official port before leaving.
Ministry of Tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines · Ministry of Tourism, St. Vincent and the Grenadines ▾
tourism.gov.vc (2026-10-14): “Visiting yachts arriving in the territorial waters of St. Vincent & The Grenadines must proceed directly to a designated port of entry to complete clearance formalities before stopping at any other anchorage.”
tourism.gov.vc (2026-10-14): “Private vessels must pay a Cruise Tax to enable unlimited stay in St. Vincent & The Grenadines waters”
What number do I call for help at sea in St Vincent & the Grenadines?+
In St Vincent & the Grenadines, call 999, the national emergency number, and say you are at sea. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
Does 112 work in St Vincent & the Grenadines?+
999 is the number the authorities in St Vincent & the Grenadines give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for St Vincent & the Grenadines.
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 St Vincent & the Grenadines?+
Hurricane season is 1 June – 30 November.
Where do I get the marine weather forecast for St Vincent & the Grenadines?+
The SVG Meteorological Services (Argyle) issues forecasts with sea conditions and marine advisories/warnings at meteo.gov.vc.
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