If you run aground what should you do?

Answer 1

There is no simple answer for this question. Several factors determine what should be done next if your boat runs aground. Here are several possible answers.

1) You have a small motor boat and it runs aground at moderate speed becoming fixed in place because the bottom is resting on the ground and the engine thrust is not able to further propel the boat forward.

First stop the engine. Next check to see that all aboard are safe and uninjured.

If the boat is propelled by an outboard motor, raise the unit and check to make sure the propeller is not damaged. If you have a VHF radio, or a cell phone aboard call the coast guard, or whatever safety authority there may be to report your situation and to advise them that you need help, or that you are going to attempt to take care of the problem yourself. If you have a VHF radio, advise other boats that your present an navigation hazard, and that you may be making manoeuvres that are unpredictable and to stay clear. You may also ask other boaters for assistance.

If your motor is working and your propeller is not damaged, you may be able to back off of the grounding, or while in reverse, turn left and right over and over to wiggle your boat off of the grounding situation.

If you are not stuck on the ground, but have run aground and are now free of the ground, immediately check the bilge to see if you are taking water. Advise all aboard to put on life jackets if they have not already done so. If you are taking on water and it looks like your boat may sink, and you have a radio, issue a mayday, advising anyone listening that your boat is sinking, your location and the number of persons aboard. Try to make way to the shore, or shallower waters.

Obviously the situation gets even more complicated if your boat is an inboard, or if you have a boat with a large keel, such as a sail boat. The most important factors to consider are A) the safety of those aboard. B) The safety of other boats that may be nearby c) Notification of authorities of your location and predicament, and D) the correction of your grounding by removing the boat from the grounding situation.

This subject could go on for chapters when considering all of the variables and possibilities, but I hope this gives you some idea of the things to be considered.