Beaching (by own will)
Sometimes, in case of emergency, the master may decide, by his own will or in agreement with the Insurance Company and/or the
P & I Club, to run his ship aground, in order :
P & I Club, to run his ship aground, in order :
- to save what can be saved
- to avoid a dramatic collision
- to avoid to be caught on the lee shore in very bad weather (e.g. engine breakdown or when the engines are not powerful enough to ride the storm)
- to avoid the ship from stranding where salvaging would be too difficult or even impossible (rocks, breakers, heavy current)
- to avoid the ship from sinking in deep water (which would make the salvage of the crew, ship and/or cargo easier and less costly)
- Engines stopped
- Sound general alarm
- Watertight doors to be closed
- VHF watch maintained on channel 16
- Broadcast to other vessels
- Sound signals, Light / Shapes to be exhibited
- Deck lighting switched on
- If necessary, use anchors
- Sound bilges, tanks and overside around vessel (see also Stranding
- Evaluate risks of pollution
- Inform company and any third parties if relevant
- Update if necessary vessel's position in radio room, satellite terminal and other automatic distress transmitter (GMDSS)
- Consider danger of the situation and if possible take pictures
- Consider further actions with consideration for:
- salvage
- risks of sinking (emergency message, EPIRB's, abandon ship)
- secure position (change of tide, weather, stream, stress risks, stability)
- assistance, port of refuge, oil spills
- Keep the Company always informed
- Enter every action taken in the log book
Pierre Deseck