Aground

In contact with or resting on the seabed, shore or other ground instead of floating freely.

A vessel may take the ground deliberately or run aground unintentionally on mud, sand, shingle, rock or another obstruction. The consequences depend on bottom material, contact point, speed, sea state, tide, hull construction and the vessel’s loading.

Before attempting to refloat, the crew should establish the vessel’s position and orientation, check for flooding or pollution, determine depths and tide, and assess whether movement could worsen damage. Assistance, weight transfer or a rising tide may help, but an unsuitable refloating attempt can endanger people and the vessel.