| When thinking about a boat sinking most people think | | | | correct the problem before it's too late. While more |
| of it out in the middle of the ocean. What most | | | | and better pumps may be able to keep up with the |
| people forget or don't realize is that a boat can sink | | | | flow of water, it is critical that you discover the leak |
| while docked at the marina. The fact is that the | | | | quickly, before the electrical system and the engine |
| number of boats that sink wile docked is higher than | | | | are underwater. |
| the number of boats that sink while underway. | | | | Sinking while underway |
| Sinking While Docked | | | | Any boat is subject to sinking while underway for |
| When a boat sinks at the dock, the owner usually | | | | the same reasons that it could sink at the dock. A |
| asks "why didn't the bilge pump work?" The question | | | | hose could slip off or a packing gland could leak, etc. |
| that should be asked is - how did the water get into | | | | There are also other reasons why a boat can sink |
| the boat? Most of the time, boat owners rely on | | | | while underway, such as floating debris or it might |
| bilge pumps to bail them out when they can't visit or | | | | stray onto a rocky shoal. Once a boat begins to sink, |
| check on their boats. Many times a bilge pump will | | | | it will gain momentum as it settles into the water. |
| actually hide a problem until the pump clogs or the | | | | If a boat has a two-inch hole that is about a foot |
| battery goes dead. | | | | below the waterline, for example, over 78 gallons of |
| The best defense against a dockside sinking is to | | | | water will pour into the boat per minute. Here again, |
| visit your boat at least twice a season. You should | | | | the sooner you discover that you have a leak the |
| inspect any fittings above or below the waterline | | | | better, It is a very good idea to invest in a bilge |
| that could be letting water into the boat. If you are | | | | alarm. A bilge alarm is a simple device that warns you |
| not able to check on your boat often enough, try to | | | | when water begins rising in the bilge. This early |
| make arrangements with the manager of the marina. | | | | warning gives you more time to find the leak, get |
| Many marinas offer to do routine inspections, but | | | | passengers into life vests, deploy extra pumps, and |
| usually at an extra cost. | | | | put out a distress call. |
| The sooner you discover a leak, the easier it is to | | | | |