How to Halt Hull Damage and save your boat?
How to Halt Hull Damage and save your boat?
Serious hull damage below the waterline can be a major problem. It can happen when you run aground, especially in rocks or coral, or if you run into a solid object floating just under the water's surface. Fortunately, this misfortune taken to its extreme is rare, but minor or medium-size leaks caused by a keel jarred loose in a grounding or a collision are more common. Here are some ways to stave the flow and save your boat:
Plug the hole with any available material. Clothing or cushions can work well, and so can a life raft or a rubber dinghy. You can use a paddle or convenient brace to secure the plug. You can use a sail as an external bandage, and we're sure you aren't surprised to hear that we've used duct tape to plug holes.
Use heeling to your advantage. This situation is one time when more heel can be good. If the hole is near the waterline along the side of the boat, you may be able to sail the boat on a particular point of sail (using the reverse of all the tips to limit heel) so that the hole comes partially or completely out of the water. This direction may not get you to safety, but at least this tactic gives you time to repair the damage.
Get out the pumps. If leaking water is a problem, everybody should be bailing. Buckets work great.
Radio for help. For information on using your VHF radio, see Chapter 7. To get the attention (and assistance) of nearby boats, use the basic distress signal stand and wave your arms.
Get to safety as soon as possible. This may mean sailing to a different port than the one from which you started. In an extreme case in which the boat is truly sinking, you may have to intentionally ground the boat (or beach your dinghy). If you must use this tactic, pick a spot that's as sheltered (especially from waves) as possible and has a nice, soft sand or mud bottom.
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