Insurers Navigators & General say the good news is that your policy should cover this type of incident (including reasonably incurred expenses in preventing further loss), but the bad news is that the damage could be significant and put you in a dangerous position, particularly if you are disabled and taking water a long way from shore. Motorboat owners should check if their policy includes underwater gear cover, and the limits of cover offered along with the excess as they can vary with individual insurers.

By paying attention to the notices to mariners and keeping a good lookout you can help reduce the chances of a collision. However being prepared for these events can help you minimise the risk to your crew and assist a rescue should the worst happen.

If you suspect contact with an underwater object:

- Hand over the helm to a suitably experienced member of crew

- In a controlled manner, head below to inspect any damage

- Ensure a look out is kept at all times

- Lift floorboards and check for water ingress into the bilge.

- If you have a motor boat and notice significant vibrations to the

prop or shaft, throttle back until they are minimised before carrying out such checks.

- Soft wood plugs can be extremely useful to fill sheared skin

fittings.

Once a damage assessment has been made decide on your course of action and notify the coastguard if required. If you are taking water rapidly, a radio with the DSC distress function will be invaluable, along with mobile phones, hand held VHF and flares in a grab bag for use in your liferaft.

It is hoped that the worst doesn't happen, and if it is any reassurance, Navigators & General see more claims for boats hitting submerged cars or trolleys in canals and rivers than containers at sea. However it’s a good a reason to double check procedures and your equipment as it is easy to get complacent after years of trouble free boating.

The following preparation is suggested by Navigators & General:

1. Ensure that adequate lifejackets and harnesses are available for the entire crew. 2. Ensure they know the location, that they fit, and that gas canisters are live and in date. 3. Use harness lines when sailing at night or in poor weather. 4. Check your liferaft is in date, large enough for your crew and ready to set off in an emergency. 5. Brief crew on Mayday and Abandon Ship Drill. 6. Ensure you have adequate grab bag with essential equipment. 7. Check flares are in date. 8. Ensure bilge pumps work, you know where the manual handles and buckets are!

The N&G safety checklist and risk management advice for boat owners documents can be downloaded free of charge at www.navandgen.co.uk