If a ship is damaged through a collision or some other accident and is unable to contain the resultant influx of water and it is near a suitable shore, then consideration should be given to beaching the vessel in order to prevent it from sinking and to affect temporary repairs. The most suitable would be a sheltered, gently shelving beach comprising sand or gravel with little or no rocks. If such a decision is taken then the following should be considered:

1. The ideal time to beach the ship would be on the falling tide (ie just after high tide).
2. The vessel should be driven slowly onto the beach in order to avoid any further damage and to prevent her from riding too high on the beach.
3. It would be preferable to secure her stern with ground tackle (anchor and cable) which could be laid to seaward by a tug or the vessel’s boats. This would keep her from moving further onto the beach and prevent her from turning broadside onto the waves.
4. The ballast tanks could also be flooded to settle the ship onto the sand and prevent her from pounding.
5. When temporary repairs are completed, she could be refloated at high tide and taken to the nearest repair port.