Engines fail, batteries go flat, propellers pick up ropes and fuel filters clog. Most breakdowns at sea are inconvenient rather than dangerous, as long as you stay calm and do the right things in the right order.
Step 1: Make the boat and crew safe
- Put lifejackets on everyone, especially children and non-swimmers.
- Check your position and drift. Are you being blown toward rocks, a beach, shallows or a shipping lane?
- Anchor if you can. If the water is shallow enough, putting the anchor down stops you drifting into danger and buys time.
- Keep a lookout for other boats, and show the correct day shapes or lights if you are not under command.
Step 2: Is it an emergency?
Call for emergency help immediately if:
- Anyone is injured or ill.
- The boat is taking on water faster than the pumps can cope.
- There’s fire or smoke.
- You’re drifting toward rocks or into danger and can’t anchor.
- The weather is worsening and you can’t get to safety.
How to call:
- VHF Channel 16: Mayday (danger to life) or Pan-Pan (urgent but not immediately life-threatening). If your radio has DSC, press the distress button.
- Salvamento Marítimo, Spain’s maritime search and rescue service: 900 202 202.
- 112, the general emergency number.
Salvamento Marítimo responds to emergencies and safety of life at sea. It’s not a recovery service for non-urgent mechanical breakdowns.
Step 3: Simple checks for a non-emergency breakdown
If everyone is safe and you’re not in danger, run through these:
- Fuel. Is there fuel in the tank? Is the fuel line connected and the primer bulb firm? Is the tank vent open?
- Kill cord. Is the kill cord (engine stop lanyard) attached properly?
- Battery. Is the battery switch on? Are the connections tight?
- Gear lever. Is it fully in neutral? Most engines won’t start in gear.
- Overheating. Is cooling water flowing? Check the strainer and intakes. See our overheating guide.
- Propeller. Has it picked up a rope, net or plastic bag? Only check if it is safe to do so with the engine off.
- Fuel filter. Water or dirt in a clear separator bowl points to contaminated fuel.
Step 4: Call for marine assistance
If you can’t fix the problem but you’re not in immediate danger, call a marine assistance service. We can:
- Talk you through checks by phone or WhatsApp, often getting you going without a call-out.
- Come out to you and fix the problem alongside where possible.
- Tow you safely back to your berth or the nearest suitable port.
- Inform the relevant coastal authority if required.
What to have aboard
- A working VHF radio, ideally with DSC and registered with an MMSI number.
- A charged mobile phone in a waterproof pouch.
- Anchor with enough chain and line for the depth.
- Lifejackets for everyone aboard.
- Flares and other safety equipment required for your boat’s category and sailing area, within date.
- A basic toolkit: spare impeller, fuel filter, fuses, a spare kill cord, cable ties, tape and a torch.
- A tow line and fenders.
- Our number saved in your phone: +44 7483 293085.
Prevention is better than rescue
Most breakdowns we attend are preventable: old impellers, contaminated fuel, flat batteries and blocked strainers. A good annual service and the owner checks before every trip dramatically reduce the chances of breaking down.
“I was stranded, my inboard MerCruiser just decided not to start. I called and within the hour help was with me, the problem was solved and we were underway to our home port.”
Read about our rescue at sea service, and save our number before your next trip.
