Boat Sinking At The Dock: Quick Action Plan

Owning a boat is a dream for many, but it's important to be aware of the risks involved. Boat sinkings are often caused by unforeseen circumstances such as storms or equipment failure, but they can also be the result of poor maintenance or neglect. In the event of a sinking, the first priority is to ensure the safety of everyone on board, followed by placing a distress call and sending up visual distress signals. While boats are designed to stay afloat, they can fill up with water quickly due to simple fittings that separate the interior from the exterior wearing out. Taking proactive measures, such as regular maintenance and preparedness, is crucial to minimise the potential for property loss and possible loss of life. Additionally, having the right insurance coverage is essential to protect yourself financially in the event of a sinking, whether it occurs during a cruise or while docked.

Put on life jackets and radio for help

If your boat is sinking at the dock, the first thing to do is to put on a life jacket and ensure that everyone else on board does the same. It is important to put your own life jacket on first before assisting others. Make sure that the life jackets are properly secured and fit appropriately. If there are children on board, ensure they have properly fitting life jackets.

Once everyone is in a life jacket, the next step is to put in a distress call. All boats should be equipped with an emergency VHF radio. When making the distress call, it is important to speak clearly and slowly. Be sure to provide the name of your vessel, your coordinates, and a description of the emergency. It is also helpful to give a description of your watercraft so that rescuers can easily identify your boat. Wait for about 10 seconds for a reply and repeat your distress call if there is no response.

In addition to the radio distress call, you can also send up visual distress signals, such as flares, which are required on all boats and can be seen at night. If possible, try to provide as much information as you can about your location and the nature of the emergency to aid in the rescue efforts.

Putting on life jackets and radioing for help are the initial critical steps to take when facing a boat sinking situation at the dock. By following these steps, you can help ensure the safety of everyone on board and increase the chances of a timely rescue.

Plug leaks with towels, cushions, or clothes

If your boat is sinking at the dock, you should plug any leaks with towels, cushions, or clothes. This can slow or even prevent additional flooding. If you have a burst hose, try to close the seacock to prevent more water from flooding the deck.

If you have any old towels, seat cushions, or extra clothes on board, use them to plug any leaks in the hull. Depending on the type of boat you have and which side the leak is on, you can try to tilt the hole above the water by moving everyone and everything to the opposite side. This can help slow down or even stop the inflow of water.

If you have a burst hose, check if you can close the seacock to prevent more water from flooding the deck.

While these measures can help slow down or stop the inflow of water, they are only temporary solutions. Be sure to also put on your life jacket, send out a distress call, and start heading back to land. Get as close to the shore as possible, avoiding high surf and large jagged rocks.

Disconnect the engine's intake hose

Disconnecting the engine's intake hose is a last-ditch effort to prevent your boat from sinking. This method is not guaranteed to work, but it is worth trying as it can significantly lower water levels.

To disconnect the engine's intake hose, follow these steps:

• Put on your life jacket and ensure all passengers on board do the same. It is important to put your own life jacket on first before assisting others.
• Make a distress call using your emergency VHF radio. Speak clearly and slowly, providing the name of your vessel, your coordinates, and a description of the emergency. If possible, also provide a description of your watercraft. Wait at least 10 seconds before repeating your distress call if there is no immediate reply.
• Once you have made the radio distress call, prepare visual distress signals, such as flares, which can be seen at night.
• Try to identify the source of the leak and use any available materials, such as old towels, seat cushions, or extra clothes, to plug the leak. If possible, tilt the boat to raise the leak above the waterline by moving everyone and everything to the opposite side.
• Check if you can close the seacock to prevent further flooding.
• If the above steps do not stop the boat from taking on water, locate the engine's intake hose. This hose brings cooling water to the engine from outside the boat.
• Disconnect the intake hose from the seacock or through-hull fitting. Be careful, as there may still be water flowing through the hose.
• Drop the disconnected hose into the bilge to help remove water from the boat.
• Throttle back to avoid overheating the engine.
• Continue heading towards the shore, getting as close as possible. If necessary, beach your boat to prevent it from completely sinking.

Remember to regularly maintain your boat and perform inspections to identify any potential issues. Always be prepared for emergencies by keeping life jackets, visual distress signals, and an emergency radio on board.

Head back to land

If your boat is sinking at the dock, the first thing to do is to head back to land. Get as close to the shore as possible, avoiding high surf and large jagged rocks that could make things worse. It is better to beach your boat than to let it sink completely.

Once you have reached land, you should take stock of the situation and gather any necessary supplies. This includes important items such as an emergency radio, a cell phone, food, and water. It is also a good idea to have waterproof bags on board to protect your supplies.

While heading back to land, it is crucial to ensure that everyone on board is safe and has a life jacket on. Make sure that your life jacket is secure before assisting others. Check that your boat has enough life jackets and that they fit appropriately, especially if there are children on board.

If possible, try to identify the cause of the sinking. This can help prevent future incidents and assist in any necessary repairs or maintenance. Boats can sink due to various reasons, such as age, poor maintenance, equipment failure, or unexpected events like storms or collisions. By recognizing the cause, you can take proactive measures to prevent the boat from sinking further and minimize potential property loss or harm.

Once you have reached land and ensured everyone's safety, you can then proceed with the necessary steps for salvaging and repairing your boat, contacting the relevant authorities, and making insurance claims if needed.

Call your insurance company

If your boat sinks at the dock, one of the first things you should do is call your insurance company. This is especially important if your boat has sunk due to a covered peril, such as fire, theft, storms, or vandalism. If you have comprehensive or full boat insurance, your provider should cover the costs of sinking in these cases. However, if you only have liability coverage, your policy may not cover the damage to your boat, although some wreckage and removal costs may be reimbursed.

When contacting your insurance company, it is essential to provide as much information as possible, including pictures, to facilitate a smoother claims process. Be prepared to meet with an adjuster, who will assess the damage and determine if your boat is a total loss or can be salvaged and repaired. The longer you wait to make the call, the more damage may be incurred, so act promptly.

It is worth noting that insurance policies have different exclusions and navigation limits. For example, if your boat sank due to negligence or failure to perform expected maintenance, your insurance company may deny your claim. Additionally, if your policy has distance, location, or weather exclusions, you may not be covered if your boat sank beyond the specified cruising range or during a restricted period, such as hurricane season.

To summarize, calling your insurance company is a crucial step when your boat sinks at the dock. Provide them with detailed information, act promptly, and be aware of the specifics of your policy to ensure you receive the necessary assistance and reimbursement for your sunken boat.

Frequently asked questions