If your boat is involved in a collision, first make sure no one is injured and that no water is coming in. Then secure the boat, document the damage with photos, exchange contact information and insurance policy details with the other skipper, notify the marina or maritime authority if applicable, and report the incident to your insurance company as soon as possible.
A docking maneuver in a crosswind, a dock that appears sooner than expected, a neighboring boat that heels over more than it should. Bumps and scrapes are part of life at the harbor, and most result in nothing more than a scare and a scratch on the gelcoat. What makes the difference is what you do in the next 30 minutes.
Step 1. People First: Make sure everyone is okay
Take a head count of the crew and check to see if anyone has been injured or fallen into the water. If there are injured people or someone in the water, Step 1: People first—check to make sure everyone is okay, and call for help immediately by VHF Channel 16, 112, or Maritime Search and Rescue (900 202 202). If the collision has affected another boat, also check to see if its occupants are okay and offer assistance: it is the duty of every boater to come to the aid of anyone in danger.
Step 2. Check for leaks and secure the boat
- Check the bilge, the through-hull fittings, and the inside of the impact area.
- If water gets in, turn on the bilge pumps and locate the source of the leak.
- In port, secure the boat properly and turn off the engine; while underway, reduce speed and consider returning to port.
- Check the propeller, rudder, and centerboard to see if the boat struck the bottom or a submerged object.
If the boat is unsafe, do not continue sailing: notify someone and wait for assistance.
Step 3. Document the damage before moving anything
Take photos and videos of the damage to the two vessels, their positions, and the surrounding area (dock, fenders, sea conditions). Note the time, the exact location (dock and slip number or coordinates), the wind, and visibility. If there are any witnesses, such as a harbor worker or a neighbor at the dock, ask for their name and contact information.
Step 4. Exchange data with the other pattern
Note the following on the other side: Name of the skipper and owner, phone number, name and registration number of the vessel, insurance company, and policy number. Remember that in Spain, recreational boats are required to have liability insurance. If neither party disputes what happened, write down a brief description and have both parties sign it. Avoid admitting fault in the heat of the moment: just describe the facts.
Step 5. Notify the marina or the maritime authority
- Collision inside the port: Notify the office or the harbor master's office. They can document the incident, inspect the dock, and provide an independent witness.
- Collision while sailing resulting in significant damage, injuries, or risk: Contact the Maritime Rescue Service or the local Harbor Master's Office.
- Fuel or oil spill: Always report it; there is a specific protocol for pollution.
Step 6. Report the claim to your insurance company
Call your insurance company or broker as soon as possible and send them the photos, the other party's information, and a description of the incident.. Check your policy to see the deadline for reporting a claim and what coverage you have: mandatory liability insurance covers damage to third parties, but not damage to your own boat unless you have additional coverage.
Step 7. Inspect the boat before setting sail again
Even if the blow seems minor, Have it inspected at a repair shop or shipyard. A crack in the hull or damage to the shaft line may not be visible to the naked eye. Keep your estimates and invoices on file: your insurance company will ask for them.
