Getting off under power Come off as you went on If you can contrive to reverse out on a reciprocal course to the one that put you aground, you know for sure that sooner or later you will float. Unless a different route seems viable or you have no choice, going out as you went in is the preferred option. Ahead or astern? Having made the point that ‘back is often better’, bear in mind that many propellers and gearboxes deliver more grunt going ahead than in astern. If yours is known to be like this and you can’t get off astern, try applying full helm and trying to spin the boat off ahead. The extra power may just do the trick. Sound around When circumstances militate against ‘Option 1’, either eyeball a better route if the water is clear enough, or use the backup leadline to sound around for deeper water. Haul off It’s not uncommon for a boat’s engines to lack the power needed to pull her off a shoal. In the absence of outside assistance, so long as a line can be secured somewhere off the boat in the direction you wish to go, it can be led to your most powerful winch and hove in as you gun the engine. The extra pull often makes the difference. Attach the line to a shore object or even a well-anchored mooring. If nothing is available, lay out your own anchor or kedge (secondary anchor) from the dinghy and use this. In the days of sail, the choice was often ‘kedge or nothing’.


Shift weight


When a boat has her maximum draught on her fore-and- aft midline, it’s sometimes possible to reduce this a little by shifting weight. This is comparatively easy for sailing boats to achieve. As well as having all hands hang over the ‘low’ side, weights such as a


Kedging off under power


full water can or an anchor can be attached to the end of the main boom then swung outboard. Adjusting fore-and- aft trim may also help. Gathering the crew right forward occasionally raises a power boat’s propellers clear of the bottom. On a sailing vessel this can lift the heel of the keel off. The difference may not be much, but a lot may not be required. Dump weight If you’re well and truly stuck, draught can be reduced by pumping the water tanks over the side, humping inside ballast ashore (traditional craft often have moveable ballast), and generally lightening ship. The ‘pluck off’ By all means accept an offer of a pull off from another boat, but be ready for heavy loadings and make sure you secure the towline to a very strong point, especially if the other boat has power to spare. Try to remain in control, because you don’t know how well your rescuer understands the task. Speak with the other skipper about any salvage claims he may have in mind and make an effort to contact your insurer. This is a more realistic proposition by mobile phone than ever it was by radio or pigeon. If in doubt, strike a deal. More often than not, your benefactor will be helping out in a friendly way on the seamanlike basis that it might be him next time.


To anchor


146 | MANUAL OF SEAMANSHIP


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