STRANDING

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1) Actions when Stranding is imminent

a) Use engines and rudder to avoid drifting on to a lee shore.

b) Cal master and inform ER to change over to high sea suction

c) Use anchors to hold the ship clear of danger.

d) Close all watertight and fire doors, sound the general alarm.

e) Lower lifeboats and keep ready in case ship is likely to break up.

f) Send message and ask for help – urgent

g) Inform owners and concerned authorities.

2) Immediate action on stranding.

a) Stop the engines. Go astern if the tide is falling. If bottom gets damaged, she can be grounded again or beached in a more suitable place. Avoid going aster for long as the stirred up silt can block coolers etc.

b) Inform master and inform ER to c/o to high sea suction.

c) Close all watertight and fire doors. Sound emergency alarm. Check for causalities and missing persons. At night switch on deck lights.

d) Swing out life boats and prepare for abandon ship if needed.

e) Check the position of the vessel on the chart and note the water depths around the vessel.

f) Initiate actions as per COLREGS for lights, shapes and sound signals. Send messages to all concerned as required.

g) Master to consider re-float the vessel if circumstances are suitable taking necessary precautions.

Subsequent actions on stranding.

a) As soon as practical , enter a statement in the Logbook.

b) Send initial casualty report to Owners/charters and other authorities. Inform owners the latest stability information to enable them to advise on further actions to be taken.

c) Visually examine the ship for damage. Take soundings of tanks and bilges. Secure all air and sounding pipes with caps to prevent pollution as water pressure may force oil upwards.

d) Weather permitting carry out general survey of the area to assess the best way to haul off. Note the soundings all around and the type of seabed.

e) Check on the tide ranges at the place for there range and strength. If there is considerable tide then may be some of the lost buoyancy lost could be regained and vessel could be removed.

f) Drop anchor so that in case of damage the vessel will not shift to deep water to cause more problems. This can also assist in preventing the ship from moving further inland during high tide.

g) Ask for assistance if feasible depending on the situation.

h) In case of rocky and uneven ground care to be exercised when trying to refloat as more damage could be done. Salvaging a sunken ship is more difficult than a stranded ship.

i) In case the seas are rough and the vessel is bumping on the ground it can cause more damage. To prevent this take in more ballast.

j) Check on damage stability data and consider various options to lighten the ship if refloating can be done easily with the tide changes.

k) Arrange to have a stern anchor to prevent the ship from shifting and coming broadside to the shore.

l) Check the drafts around the ship to ascertain amount of contact the ship has with the ground.

Grounding Checkist

A Sound the general alarm.

B) Check for any casualty on board.

C) Assess internal damages.

D) Take all tank and bilge soundings.

E) Look for signs of pollution from ruptured/damaged tanks.

F) Check for depths of water all around specially aft.

G) Check position on chart and nature of bottom and surroundings.

H) Collect damage reports from all sections.

J) Check on the tides in the location high / low etc.

K) Check on stability criteria specially if the vessel has been damaged and there is water ingress.

L) Keep in regular communication with various people and organizations.

M) Start damage control/mitigation measures to prevent water ingress/control of water by using pumps.

N) Record statements in logbooks.