ezstandalone.cmd.push(function() {
          ezstandalone.showAds(102);
        });
       

   [Accident Reports](/articles/accident-reports)# Rocks Ahead: The Jolt That Saved Two

 Nov 26, 2025

 

 [ Twitter ](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet/?text=Rocks%20Ahead%3A%20The%20Jolt%20That%20Saved%20Two&url=https%3A%2F%2Fboattest.com%2Farticle%2Frocks-ahead-jolt-saved-two.md&hashtags=boattest&via=&related=&in-reply-to=)[ WhatsApp ](whatsapp://send?text=Check%20out%20this%20page%20-%20%20https%3A%2F%2Fboattest.com%2Farticle%2Frocks-ahead-jolt-saved-two.md)[ Share on facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/dialog/feed?app_id=966242223397117&name=Rocks%20Ahead%3A%20The%20Jolt%20That%20Saved%20Two&link=https%3A%2F%2Fboattest.com%2Farticle%2Frocks-ahead-jolt-saved-two.md&caption=&description=&picture=&source=&ref=&display=popup)[ Email ](mailto:?subject=Share%20this%20article&body=Check%20out%20this%20page%20%22Rocks%20Ahead%3A%20The%20Jolt%20That%20Saved%20Two%22%20-%20https%3A%2F%2Fboattest.com%2Farticle%2Frocks-ahead-jolt-saved-two%0D%0A) 

 

 

 

  Article courtesy of [The Baynet News](https://thebaynet.com/36-foot-boat-hits-rocks-near-st-catherines-island-two-boaters-uninjured/)

  

 

 

 

## A Grounding on the Potomac Teaches the Power of Calm Under Pressure

![VFD Boat](/sites/default/files/inline-images/image_405.png)

### **The Unexpected Stop**

If you've ever been boating, you know that sickening jolt when the bottom of your boat meets something hard. That's exactly what happened to two people on a 36-foot vessel near St. Catherine’s Island on the Potomac River. They hit rocks, and their trip came to a sudden, terrifying stop.

The good news? They walked away uninjured, and their story is a masterclass in handling a crisis correctly.

**1. The First, Best Move**  
The instant they struck, the boaters immediately contacted authorities. This is crucial. It puts rescue teams on notice, right away.

Then, they stayed calm enough to assess the situation: they confirmed they were **not taking on water** and didn't need medical help. This clear, honest communication was vital. It let the local Fire Department know they were dealing with a **salvage problem**, not a panicked rescue. They used Boat 5 to find them quickly, but they didn't have to rush to save lives.

**2. The Navigation Lesson**  
Running aground on rocks points straight to one failure: navigation.

**Know Your Area**: Charts, whether on a screen or on paper, must be open and monitored. Rocks and shallow spots around islands aren't secret; they're mapped hazards.

**Slow Down**: When you get near shore, slow your speed. It gives your depth finder time to warn you and gives you time to react before you hit.

**3. Don't Go It Alone**  
The fire department gave them contact info for a towing service. This is the biggest takeaway for the boat itself: **Never try to pull your boat off rocks yourself.**

Trying to power off or use ropes can shred your propeller and tear a bigger hole in the hull. When you hit something hard, the problem belongs to a professional salvage company. Have that towing membership ready—it’s cheaper than sinking.

This crew's quick call and calm assessment saved them from a bad situation becoming a disaster.

[![boating-accidents-of-the-week](https://boattest.com/sites/default/files/images/2025-03/boating-accidents-of-the-week-header-boattest_0.png)](https://boattest.com/articles/accidents-week)

Want to read about more close calls? [Click here to see our weekly accident report and gain access to the archives](https://boattest.com/articles/accidents-week).