If you find yourself in an emergency situation or spot someone else in trouble, you should call 999 or 112 and ask for the coastguard. If you are inland and see someone in difficulty on the water, be it on a river or a lake, you should ask for Fire and Rescue when you call for help.

How do I call the Coast Guard for help?

People in an emergency and need of Coast Guard assistance should use: VHF-FM Channel 16 (156.8 MHz), dial 911.

What happens if you call the Coast Guard?

The Coast Guard will send out a rescue boat (or, sometimes, a helicopter) in response to any Mayday call, or in special cases where your boat has a dangerous mechanical problem, where someone onboard has a serious medical problem, where the weather is worsening rapidly, or when it's getting dark.