A leak, even a small one, needs immediate attention.
If You Discover Water in the Boat
- Shout “LEAK! LEAK! LEAK!” — Immediately and loudly alert everyone on board, especially the Captain. This is the most important first step.
- Stay Calm — Panic doesn’t help. Focus on helping the Captain.
- Identify the Water Type (if safe, taste it):
- Fresh Water — Usually from a water tank, hose, or rain leak. Less immediately dangerous for sinking, but still needs attention.
- Cold Salt Water — This is incoming seawater and needs urgent action.
- Warm/Hot Salt Water — Could be from the engine cooling system — also serious.
- Do NOT Touch Equipment (unless instructed) — Do not try to move or fix anything unless the Captain tells you exactly what to do. You could accidentally make things worse.
- Locate the Water (if safe) — If you can safely see where the water is coming from, point it out to the Captain:
- Is it a trickle or a steady stream?
- Is it high up or low down in the bilge (the bottom of the boat)?
- Is it coming from a hose, a fitting, or somewhere else?
The Captain’s Actions
What you might see the Captain do, and how you can help:
- Stop the Boat / Reduce Speed: If sailing, the Captain might “heave to” or stop the boat to reduce water pressure on the hull. If motoring, they’ll likely slow down or stop.
- Start the Pumps: The Captain will immediately activate all available electric bilge pumps and might ask someone to operate a manual pump.
- Find the Leak Source: The Captain will quickly try to find where the water is coming from. They might ask you to look in certain lockers or under floorboards.
- Plug the Leak: Once found, the Captain will try to stop or slow the water flow using:
- Wooden Plugs (“Bungs”) — Tapered wooden plugs designed to be hammered into holes
- Soft Materials — Rags, towels, cushions, or even parts of sails to stuff into a hole
- Collision Mat — For larger holes, a special mat deployed on the outside of the boat
- Move Weight: If the leak is on one side, the Captain might ask you to move to the opposite side to lift the leaking area slightly out of the water.
- Radio for Help: If the leak is serious and cannot be controlled, the Captain will make an urgent radio call for assistance (a “Pan-Pan” or “Mayday” call).
Your Role During a Leak
- Listen & Obey — Always listen carefully to the Captain’s instructions and follow them immediately.
- Stay Out of the Way (unless directed) — Don’t crowd the area where the Captain is working.
- Help Bail — If asked, use buckets to bail water out of the boat. Every bit of water removed helps.
- Prepare Life Jackets — While the Captain is working on the leak, be ready to put on your life jacket if instructed.
- Gather Grab Bag — The Captain may ask you to locate and prepare the emergency “grab bag.”
Even small leaks can become big problems if not addressed. By staying alert and following the Captain’s lead, you play a crucial role in keeping everyone safe.