OP is a Kid just entering College, in a post industrial country..

So has no Background like the son of any midwest farmer's kid has grown up,
in making things work no matter what the Jury-rig is..

Likewise . Fishing boats.. you do what you have to to get back in to home port.
and you need to get Really Creative when taking on Water..
or Call The USCG and lose the boat and the catch.
when it sinks.