Some Tips About How to Avoid Ship Grounding

Ship grounding is not impossible in almost all waterways. Nonetheless, that does not mean that you keep away from running aground when you are in your boat. This article is for you, so you can learn a few tips about how to avoid ship grounding.

Charts & Chartplotters

Charts and chart plotters are great ways to avoid the chances of running aground. If you where all the channels, channel markers, obstructions, and shoals are located through a chart, then you have a better chance of navigating without running aground. Not only view your chart or chart plotter as you navigate but also before a trip.

Are They Up to Date?

There is still a chance of using a chart and still running aground. This is because the waterways’ geography can always change, which is the most common outcome after storms in waterways with muddy bases. Always check whether your chart plotters are up to date!

Paying Attention to Tides

In case you are cruising in a tidal zone, pay attention to tides too. The depths generally shown on a chart are most of the time mean low water, abbreviated as MLW. This is the average of the depth at low tide for any given zone within the chart.

We probably do not have to tell you this, but some weather patterns can change tidal fluctuations, so pay attention to that too!

Know When to Stop

No matter how watchful you are, even regardless of how much you are acknowledged with the waterways and whether you have memorized the whole charts and chart plotters, you need to know when to stop your boat! You have to be able to stop your boat the time you see that a ship grounding is possible.

Knowing when to stop your boat is not just stopping when there are obstacles on the way. You have to know how much distance it will take you to cease at the same time you are moving at several speeds. In other words, you need to be familiar with the mechanisms of your boat.

In case you believe that a ship grounding is probable, these are some of the things that are probably best:

• Slowing down

• Turning away

• Stopping

Yet, we mostly recommend that slowing down is usually the best option. If you do this, this will decrease your stopping distance and also reduces the risks of your boat being hurt in case you hit the bottom.

Do You Need New Parts?

In case you ran aground and your boat sustained damages, then you will probably need new boat parts. For Volvo Penta or Mercury/Mercruiser parts such as oil filters, propellers, anodes, impellers, and the like, then we have everything you need. Our team in the service departments has several Volvo certifications and not only that, we are highly known for our vast knowledge about high-performance boats.

Do not hesitate to call us for a MerCruiser engine package or bottom paint and dockside services.

Our exceptional customer service is backed up by more than three decades of experience as the best dealers for Volvo Penta in the United States of America. For more information about our services and our products, reach us now at 305-892-2628.