Ran aground? What to do
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Step by step
Check for injuries
A sudden stop can throw people around. Check everyone on board and call for medical help if needed.[1]
Put lifejackets on
Get everyone into a lifejacket while you work out what has happened.[2]
Check for leaks
Check the hull and bilge for water coming in. If you are taking on water, try to plug the leak, bail or pump, and call for help (see our taking-on-water guide).[3][4][5][6]
Turn off the engine
Don't try to power off, especially over seagrass or reef: it can badly damage the seabed and your boat.[7]
Check the drive
On an outboard or sterndrive, raise the leg and check the propeller for damage.[8]
Check the depth and the tide
If the boat seems sound, check the depth around you with a boat hook. You may be able to push clear, or you may need to wait for the tide to rise.[9][10]
Try to float off only if undamaged
If you can raise the engine and float off, or free a keel by heeling the boat slightly, do so carefully. If not, call for assistance.[11][10]
Call for assistance
If the boat is unseaworthy or hard aground, call for assistance on your marine radio. Ask nearby boats to help.[12][11][4]
MAYDAY if lives are at risk
If the boat is sinking, someone is badly hurt or life is in danger, send a DSC distress alert and a MAYDAY on VHF channel 16.[13][14]
Don't
- Don't try to motor off a reef or seagrass bed. It damages the seabed and your boat.[7]
- Don't ignore injuries. A sudden stop can hurt people.[1]
- Don't keep trying to drive off if the boat is hard aground or unseaworthy. Call for assistance.[12]
Before you sail
- Before you sail: check the weather forecast and tide times.[15]
- Plan your trip on a nautical chart and make sure you will have enough water depth all the way.[16]
- Keep a good lookout, and slow down if you are unsure of your position or of a navigation mark.[16][17]
- Carry an anchor and cable that suit your boat, so you can hold position near hazards.[18]
Frequently asked
What should you do first when you run aground?
Check everyone for injuries, then check the boat for leaks. Only then think about getting off.
Should you reverse off when you run aground?
Not blindly. NOAA advises turning off the engine and not trying to motor off seagrass or reef. Check the propeller and the depth first; you may be able to push clear or wait for the tide.
When should you call for help after running aground?
Call for assistance if the boat is unseaworthy or hard aground. Call MAYDAY if you are sinking, someone is injured or life is in danger.
Will the tide float me off?
Often. You may need to wait for the tide to rise. Check tide times before you go so you know whether the tide is rising or falling.
Sources
- Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “Coming to a sudden stop can cause injuries. Check your passengers and call for medical assistance if necessary.”
- Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “have everyone onboard put on their lifejacket”
- Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “check your vessel and make sure there are no leaks”
- Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA) (2026-10-14): “Contact other vessels in vicinity to assist”
- Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “Locate the source of the leak if it’s safe to do so, try to plug it”
- Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “if the boat is flooding, remove water by bailing or using the bilge pump”
- NOAA (2026-10-14): “If you run aground, turn off your engine and don’t try to motor off any grass beds or reef areas, as this can seriously damage the seafloor — and your boat.”
- Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “outboard or sterndrive powered, raise the leg and check for propeller damage.”
- Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “If the vessel appears serviceable, check the water depth by probing with a boat hook or getting over the side.”
- Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “You may be able to push the boat clear, but you may need to wait for the tide to rise.”
- NOAA (2026-10-14): “If you can’t raise your engine and float off or free your keel by heeling over a bit, call or use VHF radio to get assistance.”
- Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “If the boat is unseaworthy or hard aground, call for assistance over you marine radio.”
- Coastguard New Zealand (2026-10-14): “If your boat is sinking, someone is injured or life is in danger, immediately call VHF Channel 16 (the international maritime distress channel)”
- Maritime and Coastguard Agency (HM Coastguard) (2026-10-14): “Only to be used in the event of grave and imminent danger and assistance is required. Send a distress alert using digital selective calling (DSC), (press and hold the button until the alert is sent).”
- RNLI (2026-10-14): “Check the weather forecast and tide times.”
- Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “You can prevent grounding by: keeping a good lookout planning your trip using a nautical chart, making sure you will have enough water depth throughout”
- Department of Transport, Western Australia (2026-10-14): “slow down if you’re in doubt about your position or the meaning of a navigation mark or aid.”
- Transport Canada – Safe Boating Guide (TP 511E, 03/2026) (2026-10-14): “It’s important to have the right anchor and cable for your boat. If you don’t, strong winds and water can cause the anchor to drag and let your boat drift or run aground.”
More emergency guides
Rescue numbers by country → How to make a MAYDAY call → Printable emergency card →