Note: This is just a guide, Masters and navigation officers may wish to modify this to suit their own ship.
Stranding or grounding
Action to be carried out:
Stop engines
Sound general emergency alarm
Close watertight doors, if fitted
Maintain a VHF watch on Channel 16 and, if appropriate, on Channel 13
Exhibit lights/shapes and make any appropriate sound signals
Switch on deck lighting at night
Check hull for damage
Sound bilges and tanks
Visually inspect compartments, where possiple
Sound around ship
Determine which way deep water lies
Determine the nature of the seabed
Obtain information on local currents and tides, particularly details of the rise and fall of the tide.
Reduce the draught of the ship
Make ship's position available to radio room/GMDSS station, satellite terminal and other automatic distress transmitters and up-date as necessary.
Broadcast DISTRESS ALERT and MESSAGE jf the ship is in grave and imminent danger and immediate assistance is required, otherwise broadcast an URGENCY message to ships in the vicinity.
