Hi Greg,
When you run aground, you first want to make a quick check of the
crew to make sure no one is injured, have them put on their life
jackets, then make an inspection of the hull to make sure its not
holed. Once you have determined that you are not taking on water, then
you can turn your attention to getting ungrounded. There are several
approaches depending on your type of vessel, where your cruising
grounds are (coastal, river, etc), and what you are grounded on (mud,
sand, rock, grass beds, coral). These procedures are covered in the
Coast Guard Aux. and US Power and Sail Squadron classes. If you use a
line to tow the boat to deeper water, make sure everyone is clear of
the tow line - they have been known to part with deadly consequences.

A word of caution: if someone, whether commercial or not, offers to tow
you to deep water be cautious. Depending on the type of grounding and
the circumstances that surround it such as weather, traffic, etc., they
could claim salvage on your vessel. I would recommend that you get an
unlimited towing package from a company like TowBoat US or Sea Tow.
For about a $100 a year for unlimited towing, it brings a lot of peace
of mind on the water. Even with these services, groundings may still
fall under salvage, but you'll know what you are getting into before
they render the services.

Later,
Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch


Dene (nospam) wrote:
"krj" wrote in message
...
Dene wrote:
"NeptunesJester" wrote in message
oups.com...

Greg,
You may want to pick yourself up a copy of Chapman Piloting,
Seamanship, and Small Boat Handling. You can find it in bookstores and
marine stores. You may also want to contact your local U.S. Coast
Guard Auxiliary flotilla, or your local United States Power and Sail
Squadron. Both these organizations offer public safe boating classes
that cover the Inland Navigation Rules. The classes are well worth the
time.

Dan Schiro
M/V Sea Ranch


Dene (nospam) wrote:

With the acquisition of my first "yacht" (a 25 footer) this week, I've

been

on a learning curve. Given this, is there a site which explains, in
layman's terms, the meaning of various buoys. I'm still struggling
with
"right of red returning from sea," especially when I see a green river

buoy.

-Greg



Thank you all for the great advice. I do intend to take a course this
winter. A friend gave me Chapman's book and I've begun
perusing....chanting, "right of red returning from sea."

Now if I just knew what the green ones meant.

-Greg


If you go "right of red" returning from sea, you will run aground. It's
"red right" returningfrom sea, meaning that you keep the bouy to your
right or starboard side. The green marks the other side of the channel.
Which means that it will be on your port (left) side.
krj

You're right. I'm meant right of which means left, not right of red. Just
right.......

Damn.....confused again.

Ok....better question. When I run aground, what's the first thing I should
do? ;

-Greg

NeptunesJester wrote:


Ok....better question. When I run aground, what's the first thing I should
do? ;

-Greg

After quickly checking on condition of crew/boat, I would call Coast
Guard on VHF. Up here they are very helpful pulling you off dangerous
rocks etc.

That would work as well depending on where you are. Down here on the
Northern Gulf Coast, the Coast Guard could care less about recreational
boaters. You'll only get their attention in a Mayday situation or if
you claim to have Al Qaeda members onboard. I called them one time to
report that some joker had swapped dayboard signs to opposite sides of
the channel. They said they knew about it, but didn't have the fuel to
run the boat to fix them. I'm still waiting for a call back from the
Duty Officer from a request I made back in April. I'm not holding my
breath.

I don't mean to rant on the Coast Guard, they do have their hands full
with all the new Homeland Security initiatives, drug interdictions, and
the like. They do a great job with what limited funding and antiquated
equipment they have.