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Call 996 - UAE Coast Guard

Call 996 when someone or a vessel is in danger on UAE waters or along the coast and needs immediate maritime rescue.

Official government line. Free for genuine life-threatening emergencies. Misuse may delay help for others — use responsibly.

When to call

Call 996 when someone or a vessel is in danger on UAE waters or along the coast and needs immediate maritime rescue.

Boat taking on water, engine failure offshore, or vessel adrift in shipping lanes
Person overboard, swimmer in distress, or missing at sea
Capsized craft, jet-ski accident, or collision at sea with injuries
Flares, distress rockets, or SOS signals observed from shore
Oil spill or navigation hazard threatening vessels

Give your GPS coordinates if you have them; otherwise describe landmarks, buoys, and distance from shore.
State vessel type, colour, number of people on board, and life-jacket status.
Stay on the line; keep life jackets on and prepare throwable flotation if someone is in the water.
Use VHF channel 16 if you have marine radio — coordinate with 996 as instructed.

→Coast Guard assets (boats, aircraft) may be scrambled depending on location and weather.
→Other agencies may assist for inshore incidents.
→Follow instructions until rescue is complete.

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