The Harbor Column:

Ahoy,

“Mayday, mayday, mayday” is how an emergency call would begin if someone were on a boat that was sinking. Astute skippers, though, will try to ground their sinking vessels if near shore, and this technique was developed centuries ago by the riverboat captains. They constantly encountered floating debris that punched holes in their hulls and the captains would run the riverboats aground to keep the boats from sinking and to make the necessary repairs.

On Tuesday, the Balboa Island Ferry captain went aground, leaving a 2-foot hole in the hull, according to the Coast Guard. The ferry grounded with no passengers or vehicles aboard and, luckily, no fuel leakage into the harbor. The Coast Guard report does not mention if the hole was the reason the skipper grounded the vessel or if the skipper accidentally grounded the vessel, which caused the hole.

I have heard of a ferryboat running amok in the harbor years ago but never one of the boats sinking in the harbor. The ferryboats are a time-honored institution in the harbor, owned and operated by the Beek family, who run a clean ship (pun intended). The ferry is now at shipyard to be repaired and she should be back on duty soon for the busy summer season.

Tip of the week is that Log Newspaper’s website has a link for an interactive float plan including detailed instructions for completing the form and detailed instructions for the person who has your float plan. I know most boaters do not have a float or even tell someone where they are going on their voyage.

Boaters can go to TheLog.com and scroll down to the link “Download Float Plan” to access the file. I file a float plan with my wife when I am on a yacht delivery, and the plan lists the course, waypoints and estimated times. If I should go missing, the Coast Guard or local harbor patrols can use the float plan for the search parameters.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to mike@boathousetv.com or go to www.boathousetv.com .