Flooding Prevention and Procedures

Vessel owners and operators need to ensure the watertight integrity of their vessel, both underway and while moored or docked. All through-hull connections, especially for inboard engines, generators and exhausts need to be outfitted and maintained to prevent flooding. Through-hull and other fittings should be inspected regularly by marine professionals. If your vessel is taking on water, try to determine where the water is coming from. Shut down machinery that might be the cause, keep the boat afloat by beginning dewatering procedures, try to fix, plug or slow the leak. Close watertight doors and hatches, drains, and discharges that can siphon water into the boat if they sink below the water line.