Storm at sea, no internet: what to do, step by step
On a boat or ship. Below: what to do right away, what next, when to call 112 and what to avoid. The same instructions are in the free SurvivalZone app and work without internet.
First, right now
- Everyone puts on a life jacket now. On deck, also a safety harness clipped to the boat.
- Close hatches, portholes and doors. Tie down or stow everything loose.
- Write down your position (latitude and longitude from GPS or this app) on paper, with the time. Update it every hour.
Then
- On a passenger ship: follow the crew, go to your muster station if told to, and keep your life jacket with you.
- On a yacht: reduce sail early and follow the skipper. Try not to take big waves side-on.
- Stay below deck unless you are needed outside. One hand for yourself, one for the boat.
- Take seasickness tablets early, drink water and eat small amounts. Seasickness makes people careless.
- Get the grab bag ready: water, VHF radio, flares, torch, documents, phone in a waterproof bag.
- In danger: call MAYDAY on VHF channel 16 or press the red DSC button. Give the boat name, position, what is wrong and how many people are on board.
- Use flares only when you can see a ship, a helicopter or the coast.
- Person overboard: shout "man overboard", throw a lifebuoy, point at the person and don't take your eyes off them. Press MOB on the GPS.
How strong is the wind? (Beaufort scale)
| 0–3 | Up to 19 km/h (10 knots). Calm to gentle breeze. Waves under 1 m. |
| 4–5 | 20–38 km/h (11–21 knots). Small boats: take care. Waves 1–2.5 m. |
| 6–7 | 39–61 km/h (22–33 knots). Strong wind. Small boats go back to harbour. Waves 3–5.5 m. |
| 8–9 | 62–88 km/h (34–47 knots). Gale. Dangerous for yachts. Waves 5.5–10 m. |
| 10–12 | 89 km/h and more (48+ knots). Storm to hurricane. Very dangerous even for ships. Waves over 9 m. |
Waves are approximate, on the open sea. Close to the shore and in shallow water they are shorter and steeper.
When to call 112
Someone is overboard, water is coming in, there is a fire or a serious injury: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16. Near the coast, 112 on a mobile phone also works.
What not to do
- Don't go on deck without a life jacket and a harness clipped on.
- Don't leave the boat for the life raft while it is still floating. Step up into the raft, not down.
- Don't drink seawater.
- Don't fire all your flares at once.
See also
Keep it on your phone
SurvivalZone is a free app for every emergency, with no account and no app store. It works without internet and shows the nearest shelters and help points, local radio, a 72-hour plan and a mountain trip planner.
Other scenarios
- ⚡ Power cut
- 🥶 Cold, no heating
- 🚱 No water or unsafe tap water
- 🌊 Flood, water coming in
- 🎒 Evacuation in 10 minutes
- 🔥 Fire in the building
- 🌡️ Heatwave
- 🌪️ Storm, strong wind
- 🚀 Air attack: missiles, drones, bombs
- 📢 Sirens, alarm, air contamination
- 📵 No signal, no internet
- ❤️ Someone is unconscious
- 🌍 Earthquake
- 🚗 Road accident
- ☠️ Carbon monoxide or gas leak
- ❄️ Stuck in a car in a snowstorm
- 🌩️ Thunderstorm outdoors
- 🫀 Heart attack or stroke
- 🏊 Someone is drowning
- 🌲 Forest or grass fire
- 💳 Cards and cash machines not working
- 🦠 Epidemic, dangerous infectious disease
- 🧒 A child is missing
Sources
- Polish Maritime Search and Rescue (SAR)
- DGzRS: German Maritime Search and Rescue
- ERC first aid and resuscitation guidelines (European Resuscitation Council)
Official sources are checked automatically every day. Last check: 2026-10-18.
General guidance only; it does not replace the emergency services. If a life is in danger, call 112.