Engine Failure

Engine failure is rarely just a mechanical problem; it is a navigation problem. The first action is to keep the vessel safe: sail if possible, reduce sail if overpressed, keep clear of a lee shore, anchor if in suitable depth, and warn other traffic if required.

Basic checks include fuel level and fuel shut-off, kill cord, gear selector in neutral for starting, raw-water cooling flow, blocked intake, overheating, alternator belt, battery state, and whether a rope or net is around the propeller. In confined water, call early for assistance rather than waiting until options disappear.