Boating emergencies and incidents

Assess the situation

• Assess the situation and make your passengers as safe as possible. This should include putting on lifejackets and may involve moving people to a different part of the vessel, or even preparing them to abandon the boat.
• Check to make sure there is no danger of the emergency getting worse, for instance, a leaking fuel line causing a fire.

Sending a distress signal and how to use a radio during an emergency

Find out more about sending distress signals and safety calls.

Leadership and assisting others

The skipper must:

• Think decisively and logically.
• Keep your radio tuned to either the distress frequency or the Sea Rescue working frequency. This is because you must stay available to assist others.
• It is a legal obligation to offer help if you hear a radio distress call or see distress signals or a burning vessel.

The skipper should also respond to urgency radio calls or other requests for assistance that fall outside the distress category. You are not obliged to offer a tow to other vessels. You can offer to stand by until Sea Rescue turns up.

Reporting

For information on reporting a marine incident, hazard, non-compliance issue or marine pollution visit the Contact Marine and Coastal page.

Well-maintained motors are unlikely to break down, and most breakdowns consist of the motor refusing to start rather than simply stopping.

Outboard not starting or stopping

Not everything in this list applies to every outboard motor, but it is the basis of a simple troubleshooting routine of an outboard not starting or if the motor stops.

• Does tank have fuel?
• Is air vent clear?
• Is fuel line unkinked and connected?
• Is the fuel bulb hard? If not, squeeze continually.
• Does choke close fully?
• Check the carburettor air intake.
• Is the motor cranking fast enough? Check battery connections.
• Wait five minutes and try again.
• Battery flat? Start with rope around flywheel.
• Broken starter cord? Start with rope around flywheel.
• Change spark plugs.
• Change fuses.
• Ensure kill switch is attached.

If you are unable to restart the motor, you should:

• Drop anchor to hold your position (if possible).
• Call Sea Rescue for assistance.
• If you are drifting into danger and/or come to require emergency assistance, you should make a Pan Pan or Mayday call over the radio.

Skippers need to be aware of the dangers posed by Carbon Monoxide (CO), when boating.

Particularly at risk are those with boat engines, generators, stoves and heaters because of the enclosed and confined spaces on some vessels.

CO is a colourless, tasteless and odourless gas produced when carbon based fuel, such as diesel, petrol, or propane, burns.

When a person is exposed to CO it limits the ability of the bloodstream to carry oxygen causing headaches, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, irritated eyes and if not detected can be a silent killer. Unfortunately, some people ignore the signs of CO poisoning thinking they are caused by sea sickness, fatigue, sun exposure or excessive alcohol intake and this can be a tragic mistake.

To keep carbon monoxide levels at a minimum and prevent poisoning, regular maintenance and proper operation of a vessel is essential.

Prevent the build-up of CO on your boat

Any appliance that burns carbon-based fuels should be properly installed and serviced by a qualified technician.

Exhaust fumes, particularly from petrol engines such as the boat's motor or from a portable generator contain CO and should be directed away from a vessel’s cabin or accommodation spaces.

Act now to ensure your vessel is safe:

• Exhausts and internal hoses should be continually maintained and checked.
• Install carbon monoxide alarms in the engine room for either a petrol or diesel motor and the main cabin.
• Check inboard engines exhaust outside the vessel.
• Ensure petrol driven generators are used in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations, are not installed in a confined space and do not have the exhaust system modified in any way.
• Never use an onboard stove or oven for heating.
• Ensure canvas enclosures are well ventilated.
• Maintain fresh air circulation throughout the boat at all times, especially where engines, cookers and heaters are in use.
• Never sit or teak surf at the swim platform - while the engines are running. Teak surfing – which is holding onto the swim platform while underway – it is NEVER a safe activity.
• When berthed, or rafted with another boat, be aware of exhaust emissions from the other boat.
• Although CO can be present without the smell of exhaust fumes, if you smell exhaust fumes, take immediate action to clear them.
• Consider installing a fan to circulate air in confined space.

Symptoms of CO poisoning

Symptoms of CO poisoning are similar to those experienced with over-consumption of alcohol, fatigue, sun exposure or sea sickness and include:

• Dizziness
• Blurred vision
• A dull headache
• Shortness of breath
• Confusion
• Nausea and vomiting
• Loss of consciousness

If CO is taken into the body in high concentrations, you can become unconscious and incapacitated very quickly.

CO poisoning is particularly dangerous for those who are intoxicated or sleeping.

Treatment of CO poisoning

Victims should be moved to fresh air away from the source of carbon monoxide and medical attention immediately sought.

Regular checks to stay safe

Once a month:

• Make sure all exhaust clamps are in place and secure
• Look for exhaust leaking from exhaust system components. Signs include rust and/or black streaking, water leaks, or corroded or cracked fittings
• Inspect rubber exhaust hoses for burned, cracked, or deterioration. All rubber hoses should be pliable and free of kinks

Once a year:

• Consider having a qualified marine technician inspect, check and where necessary replace components.
• Consider the DoT BEST Check where a skilled person can check your vessel to ensure it is all in good working order.

Grounding is very common, with results ranging from minor scratching to sinking, injuries and environmental damage. Speed and type of bottom hit are often all that cause the difference. If you do run aground, look after your passengers.

Prevention

Grounding is a thoroughly preventable type of emergency. You can avoid it by:

• Knowing where you should be and where you actually are, and keeping a good lookout are the keys.
• Plan your trips using a chart, and take the chart along. Ensure you will have enough water depth throughout.
• Make sure you can identify all the navigation marks, and bear in mind that not all of them have lights at night.
• Whenever in doubt about your position or the identity of a navigation aid, slow down.

Assess the damage and take action

• If you are outboard or sterndrive powered, raise the leg and check for propeller damage.
• If the boat appears serviceable, check for depth around the boat by probing with a boat hook or even getting over the side.
• Pushing off may be the best option for getting the boat clear, although you may need to wait for the tide to rise.
• If the boat is unseaworthy or hard aground, call for assistance over the radio.
• Coming to a sudden stop can cause injuries. You may need to call for medical assistance.