What is the indication of a vessel being aground?

When a vessel is aground, it means that it is unable to float freely due to being grounded on the bottom or running aground on a hard surface. This situation occurs when the draft of the vessel exceeds the depth of the water, causing it to rest upon the sea floor. This can happen in shallow waters or during low tide.

Being aground can impede the vessel's mobility, making it unable to navigate or float properly until it is either pulled off or the water rises to a sufficient depth. Recognizing this condition is crucial for operators, as it impacts safety and the ability to maneuver.

The other options do not accurately define the condition of a vessel being aground. For instance, movement with the current does not indicate being aground; rather, it reflects the vessel's ability to navigate. Interaction with another vessel could occur while both are afloat, and being in a busy port does not inherently suggest that any vessel is aground. Thus, the identification of a vessel as aground is clearly represented by its inability to float freely.