Question 1

The anchor is down and holding, but the boat is still close to the rocks and the engine will not restart. What should the skipper do about calling for help?

Accepted Answer

Make a Mayday call — this is a genuine and immediate danger to the vessel and crew if the anchor does not hold or conditions worsen. Give your position, the problem (engine failure, anchored close to rocks), and how many people are on board This is a Mayday situation — grave and imminent danger. If the anchor drags or the weather worsens, the boat could be on the rocks within minutes with no engine and possibly no time for another radio call. Calling early gives the Coastguard the best chance to help in time. Waiting to see what happens, in a genuinely dangerous situation like this, wastes valuable time that cannot be recovered later.

Question 2

SUNBEAM's engine suddenly cuts out while motoring towards the harbour. The wind is blowing the boat towards rocks half a mile away. What is the first thing the skipper should think about?

Accepted Answer

Get the sails up immediately if there is enough sea room — sail gives back control of the boat's direction, which is the main danger right now. While crew raise sail, try to restart the engine if safe to do so On a lee shore (wind blowing the boat towards land), the immediate danger is losing control of the boat's direction. Sail gives the boat steering and the ability to move away from danger, so getting it up fast is the priority. Trying to fix the engine first, while drifting towards rocks, wastes precious time. The anchor can help (Decision Point 2) but only if the depth is checked and it can hold before the boat reaches danger.

Question 3

There is very little wind — not enough to sail clear of the rocks in time. What is the next option?

Accepted Answer

Anchor — check the depth on the chart or depth sounder, make sure there is enough rope/chain for the depth (at least 4-5 times the depth of water), and drop the anchor before the boat drifts into danger. This holds the boat until help arrives or the engine is fixed When there is no wind to sail and no engine, anchoring is the next best option to stop drifting towards danger. It must be done in good time — not at the last moment — and with enough scope (length of rope/chain) for the anchor to hold properly. Trying to paddle a 30ft boat against wind and current is not realistic. Never enter the water near a boat that may be drifting — this adds a person-in-the-water emergency to an already dangerous situation.