Grounding

After grounding, stop the engine and check crew safety first. Then assess hull damage, bilges, keel/rudder condition, tide state, weather, and position. Do not automatically motor hard astern; if the hull is holed, powering off may move the boat from a stable position into deeper water where it floods.

If refloating is safe, options include waiting for a rising tide, kedging an anchor into deeper water, heeling the boat to reduce draught, transferring weight, or using controlled engine power after checks. If the tide is falling, prepare the boat to take the ground safely if possible and call for assistance early.