Hole in the Hull Emergency Procedure

[jeremiason]

Frankly, if the hole is very large (Over 4") you probably won't have time to do anything on a typical recreational boat, since they don't normally have the ability to de-water that fast.

The idea behind fothering or any other damage control is to slow the water flow so the bilge pumps can keep up with the in-coming water. Either to wait for rescue or so you have time to figure out other ways to slow or plug the leak.

Once you have a tarp or sail patch in place you can use other things, like hatches, bags of cement or a multitude of things to patch the hole and make it home.

The other thing people don't realize is if they are holed... They might not be able to access the damaged area from the interior of the vessel. Have an axe or other device to get behind cabinets or other storage areas. We carry both an axe and a battery powered Saw.

[sushirama]

And if youre a Professor youll never be able to figure out how to fix a hole on a boat. but you can make a radio(receive only) from a coconut and some dental floss.

[capngeo]

Once on a 80' wooden shrimp boat delivery we took a hole (more like lost a plank) from a collision with....... a green coconut! Well at least we saw a green coconut floating nearby while we were swimming towards the life raft! The boat was GONE in under 60 seconds.

About 60 days later we found the wreck and were able to dive it; there was not much left but the metal parts by then.

[barnakiel]

I think I would do the following:

- start pumping,
- find the hole,
- if accessible from within, plug,
- otherwise, if viable, send one overboard to plug from the outside.

All safety measures if a crew in the water, BUT if the boat goes down then we all end up in the water anyways.

Start pumping, find the hole, plug it.

Partial plugging can be good enough to buy you some time.

Movable, high thruput pump (as seen on VOR) great help in many scenarios.

b.

[charliehows]

talking to a bloke the other day - his neighbour is a 1924 dragon style gaffie, noticed it was taking water through a split in the hull while the owner was away - they used a piece of copper sheet smeared with tar over the area of the leak, reckoned it worked very well

[SkiprJohn]

Crash Test Boat was a great video. I liked the idea of popping a line through the hull then tying something like ply with a softer cushion backing to it then pulling the line taught to the hull.

[HopCar]

Who of us first learned of fothering while reading Mr. Midshipman Hornblower?

[Steve Bean]

Another term for this is "collision mat." A piece of canvas with lines attached to the corners, stowed away ready for deployment.

[ekps1388]

Originally Posted by HopCar

Who of us first learned of fothering while reading Mr. Midshipman Hornblower?

HopCar,
No kidding! That is fascinating! Wow, i am honored by your knowledge, past experience and kindness in responding to my proposed dilemma. That is amazing and you remembered it from those books. Wonderful!
Thank you very much for sending me your most welcome reply.
ekps1388

[ekps1388]

Originally Posted by SkiprJohn

Crash Test Boat was a great video. I liked the idea of popping a line through the hull then tying something like ply with a softer cushion backing to it then pulling the line taught to the hull.

SkiprJohn,
I too think that procedure is worthy of merit. That was an excellent video. I tried unsuccessfully to obtain the article describing the feature in the archives of the Atlantic Monthly Sept 2011 to read in detail how the author described different methods of plugging the "HOLE". Thank you for your reply.

[ekps1388]

Originally Posted by Steve Bean

Another term for this is "collision mat." A piece of canvas with lines attached to the corners, stowed away ready for deployment.

A most appropriate name for the emergency plug. Thank you for your reply.

[ekps1388]

Originally Posted by charliehows

talking to a bloke the other day - his neighbour is a 1924 dragon style gaffie, noticed it was taking water through a split in the hull while the owner was away - they used a piece of copper sheet smeared with tar over the area of the leak, reckoned it worked very well

charliehows,
Well, how kind of the neighbor to take action quickly to prevent further damage and kind of you to notice and inform others of the successful plugging. Thanks for sending your reply.
ekps1388

[ekps1388]

Originally Posted by barnakiel

I think I would do the following:

- start pumping,
- find the hole,
- if accessible from within, plug,
- otherwise, if viable, send one overboard to plug from the outside.

All safety measures if a crew in the water, BUT if the boat goes down then we all end up in the water anyways.

Start pumping, find the hole, plug it.

Partial plugging can be good enough to buy you some time.

Movable, high thruput pump (as seen on VOR) great help in many scenarios.

b.

Barnakiel,
Thanks for your instructions when under stress and needing simple guidance. Thanks for replying.
ekps1388

[ekps1388]

Originally Posted by sushirama

And if youre a Professor youll never be able to figure out how to fix a hole on a boat. but you can make a radio(receive only) from a coconut and some dental floss.

Sushirama,
Huh? Are you serious about the coconut Nd dental floss, or am I just too naively stupid or gullible? Thanks for your reply.
ekps1388

[ekps1388]

Originally Posted by capngeo

Once on a 80' wooden shrimp boat delivery we took a hole (more like lost a plank) from a collision with....... a green coconut! Well at least we saw a green coconut floating nearby while we were swimming towards the life raft! The boat was GONE in under 60 seconds.

About 60 days later we found the wreck and were able to dive it; there was not much left but the metal parts by then.

capngeo,
Wow a green coconut can do that much damage?