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In Taiwan, call Coast Guard Administration on 118. Second 24-hour line: CGA 118 Center, 886-2-28057021. 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
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) publishes inshore and offshore fishery (marine) forecasts and typhoon warnings in English on its website.
CWA calls July to September Taiwan's typhoon season; August has the most typhoons, followed by July and September. UK travel advice gives a wider season of May to November.
A yacht must carry a life jacket, with a light and whistle, for every person it is certified to carry. On non-private (for example charter) yachts the skipper must show passengers how to put on life jackets before departure, and must make them wear one in fast currents, near reefs or in other danger. Jet-ski riders must wear a helmet and a life jacket with a whistle; canoeists and kayakers must wear a life jacket.
Yachts under 24 m are skippered on a Taiwanese 2nd-class yacht licence (1st class for 24 m and over). Foreigners can only sit the licence test if they have permission to stay or reside in Taiwan for at least one year. The rules we checked do not mention recognition of foreign licences.
Bareboat charter ('whole-boat rental') yachts are owned by licensed yacht businesses and are rented only to people who hold a yacht skipper qualification.
CWA issues a sea typhoon warning 24 hours before a typhoon's force-7 wind field may reach waters within 100 km of Taiwan, Penghu, Kinmen or Matsu, and updates it every 3 hours.
Notify the maritime authority at least 24 hours before entering Taiwan. Complete customs, immigration, quarantine and security formalities within 24 hours of arriving at an international commercial port, a yacht port or another port the authority has designated. Foreign yachts may only berth at international commercial ports unless they have special permission or are seeking refuge.
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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 Taiwan, call Coast Guard Administration on 118. Second 24-hour line: CGA 118 Center, 886-2-28057021. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.
118 is the number the authorities in Taiwan give for emergencies at sea. Many phones also pass 112 on, but we found no official confirmation for Taiwan.
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.
Yachts under 24 m are skippered on a Taiwanese 2nd-class yacht licence (1st class for 24 m and over). Foreigners can only sit the licence test if they have permission to stay or reside in Taiwan for at least one year. The rules we checked do not mention recognition of foreign licences.
CWA calls July to September Taiwan's typhoon season; August has the most typhoons, followed by July and September. UK travel advice gives a wider season of May to November.
A yacht must carry a life jacket, with a light and whistle, for every person it is certified to carry. On non-private (for example charter) yachts the skipper must show passengers how to put on life jackets before departure, and must make them wear one in fast currents, near reefs or in other danger. Jet-ski riders must wear a helmet and a life jacket with a whistle; canoeists and kayakers must wear a life jacket.
The Central Weather Administration (CWA) publishes inshore and offshore fishery (marine) forecasts and typhoon warnings in English on its website.
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