Emergency procedures, Hull damage

Emergency Procedures

Hull damage can occur at sea due to a number of reasons :>

collision with an object that is adrift and which could not be observed (especially at night)
touch and go
very adverse weather conditions
abnormal stress on the vessel (e.g. cargo badly divided, fuel and/or water in double bottom tanks badly divided, etc.)
bad maintenance of the hull and other structures of the ship
etc.

In case of hull damage, at least following actions should be taken:

Sound general alarm
Exhibit "Not under command" shapes or lights
Reduce speed
Close watertight doors
Update Vessel's position in radio room, satellite terminal and other automatic distress transmitters (GMDSS)
Sound bilge, tanks and check leakage
Consider change of trim
Check result on stability
Consider necessity of assistance
Inform vessels in the vicinity
Consider emergency call / message
Consider beaching / port of refuge / abandon ship
Prepare lifeboats
Inform Company and if relevant, any third party (such as P & I Club, Hull underwriters, agents, etc. (if the Company hasn't done so yet)
If relevant, contact AMVER
Once condition is improved, inform all parties contacted
Enter all relevant information and actions taken in logbook.