Commandant (G-TTM)
U.S. Coast Guard                   23 October 1995
Washington DC 20593


The Coast Guard policy on the use of cellular telephones (and
"*CG" where available) for distress notification is:


Cellular telephones are an additional way for boaters to contact
the Coast Guard in times of emergency.  The Coast Guard will
continue to listen to VHF-FM radio Channel 16, the international
distress frequency, 24 hours a day as the primary means of
communicating with boaters.

Realizing that many boaters do rely on cellular telephones as
their only means of communication, the Coast Guard recommends
that these boaters take the following actions:

1. Have information concerning your cellular service immediately
available (cellular phone number, service provider, complete
roaming number...)

2. Carry the Coast Guard's search and rescue telephone number for
your area (*CG service is not available in all areas or with all
service providers).

3. Know your location and carry a complete set of visual distress
signals.  The Coast Guard can't home in on your cellular phone
signal to locate you.

4. Carry an extra set of charged batteries.  If contact is made
and battery strength is a concern, agree upon a time to call the
Coast Guard back or to have them call you.  Remember, the Coast
Guard can't contact you if your cellular phone is off.

5. Include your cellular phone number in the detailed float plan
that you leave with your shoreside point of contact. 

6. Consider purchasing a low-cost VHF-FM radio for use on your
boat.  It will enable you to receive storm and other urgent
warnings, obtain assistance from nearby vessels in an emergency,
provide a homing signal, and communicate directly with Coast
Guard rescue craft - all impossible with a cellular phone.

Commandant (G-NRS)
Search and Rescue Division