BOAT-COMPARATOR Guide
Emergency at Sea Abroad: 112 Replaces France's 196 Once You Leave the Country
France's 196 only works in France. In Croatia, Greece or Turkey, it's a different number you need to dial in a real emergency on board.
The 196 and VHF channel 16 reflex works perfectly in France — but as soon as you charter a boat abroad, it's no longer the right number to dial from a phone.
In France: 196 and channel 16
196 reaches the CROSS rescue centre directly from a mobile phone; VHF channel 16 is monitored around the clock. Our VHF and safety at sea guide covers the right messages to use in both cases.
112, the European emergency number
In the other EU countries where Boat-Comparator lists rental offers — Croatia, Greece — it's 112 you need to dial from a phone. This single European emergency number connects you to local services (police, fire, medical), which then route you to the coast guard if needed. A European Commission report notes that awareness of 112 varies widely between countries, which is exactly why it's worth memorising before departure rather than discovering it exists mid-emergency (research on the European emergency number 112 and crisis-management information, see the study on Google Scholar).
Turkey: a dedicated coast guard number
In Turkey, 112 remains the number for medical emergencies, but the coast guard (Sahil Güvenlik) has its own number, 158 — worth knowing before a charter departing from Göcek or Marmaris.
The rental operator is still your first call
As in France, these numbers are reserved for situations where people's safety is genuinely at risk. For a breakdown with no danger involved, the local rental operator, whose number is on your contract, remains the natural first contact — see our guide boat breakdown: what to do.
Before you leave
Just one thing to do before boarding abroad: save the right number in your phone and check network coverage for the planned sailing area.
Free checklist
Rent a boat with no nasty surprises
Deposit, insurance, check-in inspection, fuel, navigation areas, weather: our checklist covers everything to verify before booking and on departure day. Sign up to access it and receive our tips by email.
Thank you! Your checklist is ready: Rent a boat with no nasty surprises →