Don't wait too long
If someone is past their return time and not answering, call early. The Coast Guard would rather hear from you at dusk than at midnight. First, try their phone and anyone who went with them.
Who to call
- On a boat: VHF Channel 16The fastest way to reach the Coast Guard and nearby boats on the water.
- From shore: 911Say a boater is overdue and give them the details below. They'll bring in the Coast Guard and marine units.
- Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg, 24-hour command center866-881-1392
Covers Tampa Bay and Florida's west coast.
What they'll ask for
- Who's aboard, how many, and what everyone was wearing.
- The boat: length, color, name, and registration number (FL numbers on the bow).
- Where they launched and where they were headed.
- When they were due back, and their last known position.
- What safety gear is aboard: VHF radio, life jackets, flares, EPIRB or PLB.
Write it down now while you wait. If you have a last position (latitude and longitude), read it exactly as written.
Next time: leave a float plan
Before every trip, tell someone where you're going, who's aboard, and when you'll be back. One line is enough: "Out of John's Pass, 15 miles NW to the reef, back by 5," or "Paddleboarding the Treasure Island causeway until sunset."
Or let Headed In do it for you: type that line when you tap Start at the dock, and your family gets a live map, your plan, and a text with your last position if you're late.
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