Flooding below decks....

Every sailor shutters at the thought of their sailboat flooding below decks. Here's a list of how to deal with this should it ever happen to you.

1. Get the boat level as quickly as possible. If under sail, head downwind or heave-to.
2. Taste the water. Yes, taste it. If it's fresh water then there's no risk of sinking. If it is seawater, continue with steps below.
   
3. Quickly scan the boat to see if it's obvious where the water is coming from. If it's not obvious where the water is coming from close all seacocks. Check around each seacock for any water entering the boat.
4. Start the engine if it's not already running and open diverter valve to use engine as an emergency bilge pump. Have someone constantly monitor the strainer on the engine bilge intake for clogging.
5. Use your manual bilge pump if necessary.
6. If there is sufficient crew have them bail with buckets, pans, and anything that will remove water from the boat. Only dump the water into the cockpit if you are absolutely positive it will drain overboard and not back into the boat.
7. If you are unable to reduce the water level, launch life raft being sure it's securely tethered to the boat for loading.
8. If water level is reduced sufficiently, have an extra crew member look for the source of the water.
   
9. Cushions can be wedged into the crack using floorboards. Floorboards can also be used with blankets to seal, or slow the flow, larger holes.
10. If the source of the water is a hose, cut the hose at the leak and drive a wood plug in the hose end.