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SWAMPED OR CAPSIZED YACHT
IMMEDIATELY PUT ON A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE, AND SET OFF A DISTRESS SIGNAL IF THE YACHT BECOMES
SWAMPED OR CAPSIZES. Chances are good that a capsized yacht will stay aoat. To ensure the safety of the crew and
yacht, it is important to perform the following:
• Stay with the yacht unless an emergency situation occurs.
• Never leave the yacht or try to swim to shore except under extreme conditions.
• Remember that a capsized yacht is easier to see than a swimmer.
• Remember that the shore may be farther away than it appears.
To reduce the occurrence of a swamped or capsized yacht:
1. Reduce headway and turn the yacht slightly if water is coming over the bow.
2. Turn the yacht to prevent the bow from meeting the waves head on.
3. Drop a sea anchor over the stern, and adjust the length of the line to hold the bow at the most favorable angle.
COLLISION
If a serious collision occurs, check everyone onboard for injuries, and then inspect the entire yacht to determine the extent
of the damage.
• Prepare to help the other craft unless your yacht or passengers are in danger.
• If the hull has been penetrated, prepare to plug the fracture once the colliding yachts have been separated.
• Shore up the hole inside of the yacht with a spare life jacket or bunk cushion.
• Trim weight, if possible, to get the hole above the water level during repairs.
• If the yacht is in danger of sinking, have everyone onboard put on a life jacket.
• If a radio is installed, immediately contact the U.S. Coast Guard or other rescue authorities on Very High Frequency (VHF)
channel 16 or Citizens Band (CB) radio channel 22. (VHF channels 9 or 13 or a cellular phone in some states may be
available.)
RUNNING AGROUND
Excessive weight in the FORE or AFT sections of the yacht will cause a trim change and may yield greater draft than expected.
Equip the yacht with a quality depth-measuring instrument, and allow ample water below the hull while operating.
IF THE YACHT RUNS AGROUND:
• Check everyone onboard for injuries.
• Inspect the yacht for damage.
IF LIGHTLY GROUNDED:
Shift the weight of the passengers or gear to heel the yacht while reversing engines.
IF TOWING BECOMES NECESSARY:
Use a commercial towing service.
NOTICE: Never attach a tow line to a single deck cleat or anchor windlass. The cleats and windlass are not designed to
take the full load of the yacht and may pull free from the deck, causing serious injury or property damage.
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