You and your crew are on a coastal cruise in your mid-80's racer/cruiser. You like to pride yourself on how well you maintain your boat -- but you keep quite a few spares, repair parts, and tools aboard, just in case. You are currently about 12 miles offshore, making passage overnight. It's just about time for the 2AM crew changeover. You yawn, stretch a bit, and then swing your feet out of the bunk onto the cabin sole -- only to find that you are now standing in about 3 inches of very cold sea water. What would you do? (Discussion topic by Warren Milberg)
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First
First I would find out why My bilge pump was not running, and if it was I would kick my self for not realizing it was running constantly. Then I would assemble all crew and start damage control procedures. (look for water source,ect...) Shane.
First I would find out why My bilge pump was not running, and if it was I would kick my self for not realizing it was running constantly. Then I would assemble all crew and start damage control procedures. (look for water source,ect...) Shane.
I guess first I would say a loud four letter expletive, then I would stab at the manaul bilge switch. While doing that I would ponder what I had for crew and where are the keelhaul ropes. Then while researching the problem I would inform my keystone cops to gather the "grab and go", vhf, gps, flares, etc and ready the life raft, dinghy. Now with that done, lets see what the problem is. Three inches wont sink the boat but it may short certain vital systems, and develop of course, into an obandon ship command. Start asking questions after survival is covered. Were we charging batteries? Perhaps the raw water exhaust or something in the raw water circuit has sprung a major leak. No? Has anyone felt an odd thump? Shipping lanes? Has she "shivered her timbers" differently.... ie the keel is loose? Helm responding normally? Stuffing box? If I have time im gonna check these things. And of course do I have vessel assist or some type similar. Is this an EPIRB situation? Dont know yet but.... So far im not panicking.. tis what us sailors do :_ Cheers Rick
Alert crew. Mark the water level so you can see
how fast it's rising. This is the most important information, next to where is it coming in? While you check hoses and through hulls, get somebody to count heads and get everyone up and alert. Check engine hoses first. Then through hulls. Get all your bilge pumps working, plus buckets. This is partly to answer the question; Can we keep ahead of the leak, also you may be able to see which end of the boat the water is coming from. If it's still rising when you are doing all you can, call the emergency folks, give them your position and ask them to stand by. Don't wait to do this. If you find a hose or through hull gushing, shut off the valve if you can. stuff a sock in it if you can't. If it's a hole in the hull, try to plug it from the inside by holding towels over it, perhaps with heavy things on top of the towels. From the outside, drag a sail over the hole with lines. When it's in place, water pressure will hold the sail to the hole if it's flat calm.
how fast it's rising. This is the most important information, next to where is it coming in? While you check hoses and through hulls, get somebody to count heads and get everyone up and alert. Check engine hoses first. Then through hulls. Get all your bilge pumps working, plus buckets. This is partly to answer the question; Can we keep ahead of the leak, also you may be able to see which end of the boat the water is coming from. If it's still rising when you are doing all you can, call the emergency folks, give them your position and ask them to stand by. Don't wait to do this. If you find a hose or through hull gushing, shut off the valve if you can. stuff a sock in it if you can't. If it's a hole in the hull, try to plug it from the inside by holding towels over it, perhaps with heavy things on top of the towels. From the outside, drag a sail over the hole with lines. When it's in place, water pressure will hold the sail to the hole if it's flat calm.
slippers
firstly i would fully dry my toes, ensuring that the little areas between each of the smaller toes was completely dry. Next i would make sure that all of my crew members were ok and that none of them had got their feet wet. Finally would ask if anyone had put the kettle on yet
firstly i would fully dry my toes, ensuring that the little areas between each of the smaller toes was completely dry. Next i would make sure that all of my crew members were ok and that none of them had got their feet wet. Finally would ask if anyone had put the kettle on yet
Been there, Done that
This actually happened to me. Well with a couple of minor differences. We were motoring into Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and my daughter 10, went below to get a drink. She looked back up into the cockpit and said very calmly, "Daddy, my flip flops are floating" It took a second to clue into what she was saying. So I went below and sure enough there was about 2 inches of water over the carpet. I looked and noticed that the bilge pump was in the off position so I turned it on and when I saw it was working and gaining on the water I went in search of the problem. I pulled the ladder out and saw that the exhaust line had come away from the engine and the cooling water and all the exhaust was coming into the cabin. There is nothing you can do about that except slow down. We did just that, slowed down so we were just making way. Naturally the tide was ebbing so it was even more fun. I have to say though that the people at the Government warf in Yarmouth were fantastic. The next morning the lady who was looking after the warf called a diesel mechanic to come and have a look. He was there in less that an hour and when he looked and said he couldn't fix it he made a call and within 15 minutes a pipefitter was onboard. He took the exhaust line and came back in a couple of hours and put a new pipe in and put it all together for us and we were underway that afternoon. That was 4 years ago and I haven't had a problem with it since.
This actually happened to me. Well with a couple of minor differences. We were motoring into Yarmouth, Nova Scotia and my daughter 10, went below to get a drink. She looked back up into the cockpit and said very calmly, "Daddy, my flip flops are floating" It took a second to clue into what she was saying. So I went below and sure enough there was about 2 inches of water over the carpet. I looked and noticed that the bilge pump was in the off position so I turned it on and when I saw it was working and gaining on the water I went in search of the problem. I pulled the ladder out and saw that the exhaust line had come away from the engine and the cooling water and all the exhaust was coming into the cabin. There is nothing you can do about that except slow down. We did just that, slowed down so we were just making way. Naturally the tide was ebbing so it was even more fun. I have to say though that the people at the Government warf in Yarmouth were fantastic. The next morning the lady who was looking after the warf called a diesel mechanic to come and have a look. He was there in less that an hour and when he looked and said he couldn't fix it he made a call and within 15 minutes a pipefitter was onboard. He took the exhaust line and came back in a couple of hours and put a new pipe in and put it all together for us and we were underway that afternoon. That was 4 years ago and I haven't had a problem with it since.
close thru hulls
my first response would be to close thru hulls. It would be obvious that I have an electrical problem because the high water alarm didn't go off and the pumps aren't pumping. If I close all the thru hulls and I still have water coming in then there is a hole somewhere and if I can't get my pumps working (there is no switch to get turned off and shouldn't be) then it's time to call for help and turn towards shore. Maybe it's a small leak and I can bail it out fast enough to beach it. Maybe I can find it and slow down the leak while I head for the beach.
my first response would be to close thru hulls. It would be obvious that I have an electrical problem because the high water alarm didn't go off and the pumps aren't pumping. If I close all the thru hulls and I still have water coming in then there is a hole somewhere and if I can't get my pumps working (there is no switch to get turned off and shouldn't be) then it's time to call for help and turn towards shore. Maybe it's a small leak and I can bail it out fast enough to beach it. Maybe I can find it and slow down the leak while I head for the beach.
I vote for this one
I have 2 electric bilge pumps that should have kicked in, and I sure would wonder why, as my hand pump would probably not save the boat.
I have 2 electric bilge pumps that should have kicked in, and I sure would wonder why, as my hand pump would probably not save the boat.
cut your loses
Phone the insurance company and up the policy value. I was actually talking to a marine insurance fellow one day and asked him what the most 'memorable' policy he had written was: He told me about writing a policy onboard a boat at the galley table a loose barge came down the river on a collision course - they signed the policy and jumped off the boat!
Phone the insurance company and up the policy value. I was actually talking to a marine insurance fellow one day and asked him what the most 'memorable' policy he had written was: He told me about writing a policy onboard a boat at the galley table a loose barge came down the river on a collision course - they signed the policy and jumped off the boat!
Check the obvious first.
Engine hoses, packing gland, head bowl, through the hull valves and instrument transducers. Next open all storage compaments, settes, lockers, sole boards which have access under the waterline. Tear the boat apart but find the source and look for a way to slow or stop the water. Now you can check your electric bilge pump and start manning the manual pump. Check your chart for nearby refuge or shoals. Read and confirm your present coordinates and intended rhumb line and send out a Pan-Pan message on the VHF. Always think ahead and prepare for the eventuality of a bad situation suddenly turning worst. As you limp back, keep looking for alternatives to ease your predicament. You are responsible for getting your crew back to shore safely so spare no efforts to accomplish that. There is absolutely no room for panic or hasty decisions.
Engine hoses, packing gland, head bowl, through the hull valves and instrument transducers. Next open all storage compaments, settes, lockers, sole boards which have access under the waterline. Tear the boat apart but find the source and look for a way to slow or stop the water. Now you can check your electric bilge pump and start manning the manual pump. Check your chart for nearby refuge or shoals. Read and confirm your present coordinates and intended rhumb line and send out a Pan-Pan message on the VHF. Always think ahead and prepare for the eventuality of a bad situation suddenly turning worst. As you limp back, keep looking for alternatives to ease your predicament. You are responsible for getting your crew back to shore safely so spare no efforts to accomplish that. There is absolutely no room for panic or hasty decisions.
Just a tip
Seems like everyone has at least similar damage control procedures, however a friend of mine suggested something to me and I use it. Nerf Footballs. If you are unfortunate enough to hit something and are fortunate enough to see the hole or can get to it, squeeze up a nerf football and stuff it in the hole and twist it. That should slow the water to nearly a trickle. And if you don't need it, it makes a handy toy too.
Seems like everyone has at least similar damage control procedures, however a friend of mine suggested something to me and I use it. Nerf Footballs. If you are unfortunate enough to hit something and are fortunate enough to see the hole or can get to it, squeeze up a nerf football and stuff it in the hole and twist it. That should slow the water to nearly a trickle. And if you don't need it, it makes a handy toy too.
Call FEMA
The first thing I'd do is call FEMA because I know that the government will solve my problem for free. Then, just in case, I'd get my SAIL magazine above the waterline so I could read the articles about new boats once the insurance money comes in. Finally, before the whole thing went down I'd hide the evidence.
The first thing I'd do is call FEMA because I know that the government will solve my problem for free. Then, just in case, I'd get my SAIL magazine above the waterline so I could read the articles about new boats once the insurance money comes in. Finally, before the whole thing went down I'd hide the evidence.
Steps
1. All hands to wear PFDs. Assign individuals to multitask: 2. Establish communications link with Coast Guard and Notify of situation 3. Get Ditch Bag and raft ready to go 4. Man the pumps 5. Inspect all thruhulls, hoses and stuffings box to locate leak
1. All hands to wear PFDs. Assign individuals to multitask: 2. Establish communications link with Coast Guard and Notify of situation 3. Get Ditch Bag and raft ready to go 4. Man the pumps 5. Inspect all thruhulls, hoses and stuffings box to locate leak
Sanity.. is overrated
other than the ....yeah ..4 letter explicative..or something of that sort,..well I like the call the insurance idea. That sounds pretty important. Coverage is something we all need. FEMA... I like that idea too.. self reliance is a thing of the past. Nerf Footballs sound pretty good...in fact. if you have several they make great sponges.. oh yeah. where was that bottle of bourbon??
other than the ....yeah ..4 letter explicative..or something of that sort,..well I like the call the insurance idea. That sounds pretty important. Coverage is something we all need. FEMA... I like that idea too.. self reliance is a thing of the past. Nerf Footballs sound pretty good...in fact. if you have several they make great sponges.. oh yeah. where was that bottle of bourbon??
Hmmm, water in a boat? I dont believe it
Well the first thing I'd do is make some coffee, If im gonna be wet all day I would rather be awake. Second thing I'd do is wake the crew and have them search for leaks while i chart a course for the nearest port. Once Im done adjusting our course for the nearest safe haven (land), I'll join the hunt for the leak. Sub-waterline through hull fittings and the bilge pump would be the first two items on my list. IF within 20 minutes the source of the flooding has not been found, I'd order the crew into the cabin with buckets and manual bilge pumps, I of course will man the helm remaining dry in the cockpit drinking my coffee. Say the crew are unable to keep up with the rising water level, I'd radio the coastguard and relay my problem. Hopefully they'll be able to provide some assistance. Lastly i'd pull out my whip and lash the crew for not pumping fast enough and the boat for not sailing fast enough. On a serious note, leaks often become very difficult to find when the water level begins to rise in a boat. The first priority would obviously be to find the leak and stop the flooding. Inexperienced crew members to the pumps and buckets, more experienced searching the ship for the cause of the flooding. I'd also change course for the shallowest water around, preferably a harbor but the beach will have to do if the flooding cannot be stopped. IF all else fails and the flooding gets to a critical point, say her draft has increased by a foot or two, All crew members should dawn life preservers, the coast guard notified, and if a dinghy/ life raft is available i would ensure its readiness. The golden rule still stands, dont abandon ship until you must step up into the life raft/dinghy. Lower the raft/dingy into the water being sure to secure it to the boat. Gather all essential gear (portable radio and GPS, all emergency equipment (Flares, mirrors, SUNSCREEN!!!,extra pfd's, water and any easily salvageable food); load it all up. At that point order the crew out of the cabin and into the cockpit or cabin top. After one Last Mayday call relaying double and triple checked coordinates its time to wait. As the deck is mere inches above the water line, load everyone into the raft/dinghy and cast off.
Well the first thing I'd do is make some coffee, If im gonna be wet all day I would rather be awake. Second thing I'd do is wake the crew and have them search for leaks while i chart a course for the nearest port. Once Im done adjusting our course for the nearest safe haven (land), I'll join the hunt for the leak. Sub-waterline through hull fittings and the bilge pump would be the first two items on my list. IF within 20 minutes the source of the flooding has not been found, I'd order the crew into the cabin with buckets and manual bilge pumps, I of course will man the helm remaining dry in the cockpit drinking my coffee. Say the crew are unable to keep up with the rising water level, I'd radio the coastguard and relay my problem. Hopefully they'll be able to provide some assistance. Lastly i'd pull out my whip and lash the crew for not pumping fast enough and the boat for not sailing fast enough. On a serious note, leaks often become very difficult to find when the water level begins to rise in a boat. The first priority would obviously be to find the leak and stop the flooding. Inexperienced crew members to the pumps and buckets, more experienced searching the ship for the cause of the flooding. I'd also change course for the shallowest water around, preferably a harbor but the beach will have to do if the flooding cannot be stopped. IF all else fails and the flooding gets to a critical point, say her draft has increased by a foot or two, All crew members should dawn life preservers, the coast guard notified, and if a dinghy/ life raft is available i would ensure its readiness. The golden rule still stands, dont abandon ship until you must step up into the life raft/dinghy. Lower the raft/dingy into the water being sure to secure it to the boat. Gather all essential gear (portable radio and GPS, all emergency equipment (Flares, mirrors, SUNSCREEN!!!,extra pfd's, water and any easily salvageable food); load it all up. At that point order the crew out of the cabin and into the cockpit or cabin top. After one Last Mayday call relaying double and triple checked coordinates its time to wait. As the deck is mere inches above the water line, load everyone into the raft/dinghy and cast off.
Happend to me
Well, almost... It was daylight and I was about a mile from a beach. Nevertheless, interesting feeling when your 6 years pops his head up and calmly asks if he should call the coast guard on the radio because there was water coming in the boat. I ran below and checked the accessible thruhulls, bilge pump was running but water level wasn't going down. A previous owner had rigged the macerator pump to work as an emergency bilge pump. Just takes a Y-valve switch (in the right direction) to engage. In the wrong direction, it drained the holding tank into the bilge! Guess which way I switched it? After spending about 10 minutes wading through a rather unappetizing mixture of sea water and holding tank contents without finding the source of the leak, I figured I could make it to the (sandy) beach. So I ran for it and grounded the boat (not an option 12 miles off shore). A helpful boater, who'd seen (or smelled) my predicament came over in his dinghy with a portable pump and helped me pump it out. What happend is that the throughull fitting for the bilge pump, just above the water line at the transom had sheared off. When running the engine hard this thruhull was pushed under water, now water was coming in and the bilge pump kept recirculating the water happily. I had noticed that no water was coming out from the bilge pump where it should be but for some reason I didn't put two and two together. Seems obvious in hindsight but wasn't then. What I learned: 1) Know exactly where all the thruhulls are. On my current boat I have a plan in the chart table. It isn't easy to find those things when you have a foot of (even clear) water in the boat. 2) Know exactly how the various hoses are connected, how they work and where to shut things off. 3) Stay away from emergency systems that have unwanted side effects. 4) Stay calm, think!
Well, almost... It was daylight and I was about a mile from a beach. Nevertheless, interesting feeling when your 6 years pops his head up and calmly asks if he should call the coast guard on the radio because there was water coming in the boat. I ran below and checked the accessible thruhulls, bilge pump was running but water level wasn't going down. A previous owner had rigged the macerator pump to work as an emergency bilge pump. Just takes a Y-valve switch (in the right direction) to engage. In the wrong direction, it drained the holding tank into the bilge! Guess which way I switched it? After spending about 10 minutes wading through a rather unappetizing mixture of sea water and holding tank contents without finding the source of the leak, I figured I could make it to the (sandy) beach. So I ran for it and grounded the boat (not an option 12 miles off shore). A helpful boater, who'd seen (or smelled) my predicament came over in his dinghy with a portable pump and helped me pump it out. What happend is that the throughull fitting for the bilge pump, just above the water line at the transom had sheared off. When running the engine hard this thruhull was pushed under water, now water was coming in and the bilge pump kept recirculating the water happily. I had noticed that no water was coming out from the bilge pump where it should be but for some reason I didn't put two and two together. Seems obvious in hindsight but wasn't then. What I learned: 1) Know exactly where all the thruhulls are. On my current boat I have a plan in the chart table. It isn't easy to find those things when you have a foot of (even clear) water in the boat. 2) Know exactly how the various hoses are connected, how they work and where to shut things off. 3) Stay away from emergency systems that have unwanted side effects. 4) Stay calm, think!
just wait a damn second here!
Whenit happend to me we were racing at night, my hand fell off the bunk into a few inches of water, a quick survey found the unlikely culprit. the hause pipe cover came loose and we shipped water into the rope locker and into the bildge, we suffed some rags in the hole and kept sailing, got a second in the race! this is not the time to panic. but yeah you got to get busy and find the damn leak!
Whenit happend to me we were racing at night, my hand fell off the bunk into a few inches of water, a quick survey found the unlikely culprit. the hause pipe cover came loose and we shipped water into the rope locker and into the bildge, we suffed some rags in the hole and kept sailing, got a second in the race! this is not the time to panic. but yeah you got to get busy and find the damn leak!
Ahhhh fix the bilge pump
I agree with most of this. I'd trip the manual over ride on the bilge pump FIRST and after that was running don my PFD then start looking for the leak. As the senior maintenance man and only person on board that could reasonably find the leak I'd task the wife to do the PAN-PAN-PAN thing and get the PFD on the kids and send them topside to get them out of the way. I had this happen one morning after motoring for about 8 hours the previous day (storm ripped the jib and main). We took off out of Harrington Harbor South only to find water splashing out of the locker that provides access to the transmission and shaft. Seems the shaft packing had loosened up and had been dripping all night and was about to let the water reach the floorboards. The good thing was we where in 7' of water. After figuring out where the leak was we continued to motor out into the bay and shut down the engine. The wife conned the boat while I tightened the gland. And I lit the drinking lamp right there at 0800 in the morning and had a Rum and Coke. The rest of the trip was uneventful. This was my first "emergency" that was not weather related and I have to tell you I had some pretty weird things going through my mind. turn on the bilge pump, dang it is not working, pull the fuse, its OK, scratch head and replace fuse, the pump is running, I'll figure that one out later, thank you Lord, where close to shore so we could swim for it but we have a dingy that can hold the wife and kids while I swim and if I have to re-float her where would be the best part of the shoals to let her come to rest, sure hope the kids and dog don't start something stupid right now, wife is freaking got to maintain my composure and help her to remain calm, if she goes I'm a goner as the kids will freak too, head is OK, we didn't hit anything so it has to be a hose, honey just go to 16 and say pan-pan-pan and identify the boat and that we are taking on water, gota get her retrained on using the radio, engine hoses are ok, scratch head twice, ok the water is going down we can relax a bit, dang the cooler and lots of stuff are right over the bilge hatch, gota remember to keep that area clear, yea right it is the only place to put the cooler, honey the water is going down so we are in no immediate danger, mercerator hoses are ok, scratch head again, just take us down the channel honey if we have to turn around we will have to do it once we get clear of the channel as it is too narrow here to try it, AH-HA (the water was low enough to allow me to see the gland leaking), OK I found it no problem, simple, we can relax, I really need a bigger dingy, hope this does not turn the wife off of sailing, man I love sailing, never did don my PFD, dang I'm going to get dinged by the kids for that, ....... It was almost like being in combat, almost. What I took away from this was that if I had mentally walked through a leaking boat problem I would have had a procedure for checking all the potential leaks and not wasted a lot of time trying to get organized or thinking about stuff that doesn't matter.
I agree with most of this. I'd trip the manual over ride on the bilge pump FIRST and after that was running don my PFD then start looking for the leak. As the senior maintenance man and only person on board that could reasonably find the leak I'd task the wife to do the PAN-PAN-PAN thing and get the PFD on the kids and send them topside to get them out of the way. I had this happen one morning after motoring for about 8 hours the previous day (storm ripped the jib and main). We took off out of Harrington Harbor South only to find water splashing out of the locker that provides access to the transmission and shaft. Seems the shaft packing had loosened up and had been dripping all night and was about to let the water reach the floorboards. The good thing was we where in 7' of water. After figuring out where the leak was we continued to motor out into the bay and shut down the engine. The wife conned the boat while I tightened the gland. And I lit the drinking lamp right there at 0800 in the morning and had a Rum and Coke. The rest of the trip was uneventful. This was my first "emergency" that was not weather related and I have to tell you I had some pretty weird things going through my mind. turn on the bilge pump, dang it is not working, pull the fuse, its OK, scratch head and replace fuse, the pump is running, I'll figure that one out later, thank you Lord, where close to shore so we could swim for it but we have a dingy that can hold the wife and kids while I swim and if I have to re-float her where would be the best part of the shoals to let her come to rest, sure hope the kids and dog don't start something stupid right now, wife is freaking got to maintain my composure and help her to remain calm, if she goes I'm a goner as the kids will freak too, head is OK, we didn't hit anything so it has to be a hose, honey just go to 16 and say pan-pan-pan and identify the boat and that we are taking on water, gota get her retrained on using the radio, engine hoses are ok, scratch head twice, ok the water is going down we can relax a bit, dang the cooler and lots of stuff are right over the bilge hatch, gota remember to keep that area clear, yea right it is the only place to put the cooler, honey the water is going down so we are in no immediate danger, mercerator hoses are ok, scratch head again, just take us down the channel honey if we have to turn around we will have to do it once we get clear of the channel as it is too narrow here to try it, AH-HA (the water was low enough to allow me to see the gland leaking), OK I found it no problem, simple, we can relax, I really need a bigger dingy, hope this does not turn the wife off of sailing, man I love sailing, never did don my PFD, dang I'm going to get dinged by the kids for that, ....... It was almost like being in combat, almost. What I took away from this was that if I had mentally walked through a leaking boat problem I would have had a procedure for checking all the potential leaks and not wasted a lot of time trying to get organized or thinking about stuff that doesn't matter.
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