Aground

The situation when a vessel is stuck on the seabed or shore, unable to move freely in the water.

When a vessel is aground, the hull has come into contact with the seabed, sandbank, or shore, and the vessel no longer floats freely. This can happen intentionally, such as when a ship is beached for maintenance, or unintentionally, which is often called running aground. The latter can occur due to navigational errors, tidal changes, or shallow waters. A vessel aground is at risk of damage to its hull, rudder, or propellers, and in severe cases, it may even lead to the vessel sinking if the hull is breached. 

There are two primary types of grounding: “soft grounding” and “hard grounding.” Soft grounding occurs when the vessel runs aground on a soft surface like mud or sand, which may allow for easier recovery. Hard grounding, on the other hand, happens when the vessel strikes a harder surface, such as rocks or coral, which can cause significant damage to the vessel’s structure. 

Various methods can be employed to free a vessel that is aground, such as waiting for the tide to rise, using tugboats, or lightening the ship’s load. Mariners must be vigilant about water depths, tides, and navigational charts to avoid running aground, as it can lead to costly repairs, delays, and potential environmental damage if the vessel is carrying hazardous materials.