What does "set aground" mean?

Question

The context is the collision of two ships at sea.

The manual says: "Consider safe haven or setting aground"

Answer 1

same as BOB M

Answer 2

Purposely running the ship aground on the beach, shallow sandbar, etc, before it sinks from the damages caused by the collision.   It would only make sense to do this after a colission if the boat is taking on water and in danger of sinking.

The keel on the bottom of the boat should withstand the grounding.   It's much easier to repair a grounded boat and figure out how to get it floating again, than it is to recover, repair and refloat a boat from the ocean floor.

Answer 3

Put the bow in the sand or mud.