Watertight Integrity

Being a former naval officer and open ocean sailor, I am intimately familiar with the concept of buoyancy and the reality of sinking.  Any openings to the sea, whether caused by a torpedo, a rocky shoal or a ruptured hose connected to a thru hull fitting below the waterline is a matter of life and death.  There is no pulling over to the side of the road and waiting for help. So bilge pumps and damage control plugs are essential equipment to go to sea.