Well, this is good news, Vanessa. For many years Vodafone was the carrier of choice - they had the search/rescue/maritime contract. Have this moved to EE?

What's nippy is that in the UK we're unable to roam between networks - the only work-around would be to sign up to a non-UK provider - specifically within the EU whilst we still remain a member (NO! NO! NO POLITICS HERE!). That way you can access full roaming and, thanks to the recent EU directive (I DO NOT WANT TO DISCUSS POLITICS!) grab all signals.

All this will, que no, change as the current Horror Show continues ....

The method of using a non-UK provider to allow roaming on all networks is popular amongst the ultrarunning community, and I understand the preference is for a SIM from an Isle of Man provider. This will give you full roaming and a bill in GBP.

Worth remembering that calls to the emergency services can be made using any network, not just your own.

Humphrey, this page explains what is going on. The contract only extends 12 miles out to sea, so I'm not sure whether that is what you are referring to.

Vodaphone has always been pretty non-existent round here (Assynt), so I'm surprised to hear it had any kind of search and rescue contract. The land-based emergency services have been using Airwave for at least 20 years that I know of.

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-emergency-services-mobile-communications-programme/emergency-services-network