Your vessel has just run aground. Which of the follow would be one of the first actions you should take in this situation?

Correct Answer: Option C — sound all tanks

Immediately following a grounding, sounding all tanks, bilges, and void spaces is vital to assess structural integrity, locate hull breaches, and identify ingress of water or fuel leakage. This critical action informs the master of immediate stability, damage control, and environmental pollution risks before attempting salvage maneuvers.