Aground
Also known as: aground, grounded, on the bottom
A condition in which a vessel is resting on the seabed or bottom and is no longer fully afloat.
Aground describes a situation where a vessel’s hull is supported by the seabed rather than by buoyancy alone. This may occur unintentionally due to navigation errors, low tides, or inadequate water depth, or intentionally at certain berths designed for controlled grounding. Whether being aground is acceptable depends on contractual and operational terms, such as Safe Aground or NAABSA, which define seabed suitability and vessel tolerance. When not permitted, grounding can lead to hull damage, delays, and liability issues. The term is commonly referenced in charter parties, port descriptions, and incident reporting.
