Now it's 112

THOUGH 999 has served us well for a very long time, Once dialled when you get through you have to explain the nature of the problem and location. You have to be accurate with location, writes Maffi.

However we now live in the 21st century and things have moved on. The 'new' number to ring is 112. You can ring 112 in most European countries.

A godsend

The benefit of 112 is that when you call they know where you are to within a few feet. For us boaters this is a godsend. We no longer have to paw over maps or run down the canal to a house to find a post code. The operator can virtually see you.

I am not sure why people think the CaRT emergency number is synonymous with 999 other than some bright spark had put those three numbers in the CaRT number. A CaRT emergency is an emergency relating to the waterway, trees down, broken gates etc. I don't think it is supposed to be PFA number. In all incidents involving boat fires etc and injured people always dial 112. It's the safest thing to do.

Adendum

David Davis points out that in the UK, telecoms providers route 112 to the same emergency centres as 999—there's no difference in the functionality available. It seems to be a common ‘urban myth' doing the rounds at the moment, that 112 is in some way better. It isn't.