diff --git a/scripts/recover-bootstrap.sh b/scripts/recover-bootstrap.sh
index 93f5743..12ea545 100755
--- a/scripts/recover-bootstrap.sh
+++ b/scripts/recover-bootstrap.sh
@@ -139,8 +139,15 @@ if [[ "$NOW" -lt "$COOLDOWN_END" ]]; then
   if [[ "$DRY_RUN" == "true" ]]; then
     exit 0
   fi
-  info "Polling for recenter cooldown to elapse ..."
+  info "Polling for recenter cooldown to elapse (timeout: 5 min) ..."
+  POLL_ATTEMPTS=0
+  MAX_POLL_ATTEMPTS=60  # 60 × 5s = 5 min
   while true; do
+    POLL_ATTEMPTS=$(( POLL_ATTEMPTS + 1 ))
+    if [[ "$POLL_ATTEMPTS" -gt "$MAX_POLL_ATTEMPTS" ]]; then
+      error "Timed out waiting for recenter cooldown (${MAX_POLL_ATTEMPTS} polls). RPC may be degraded."
+      exit 1
+    fi
     NOW="$(cast block latest --rpc-url "$RPC_URL" --field timestamp 2>/dev/null || echo "0")"
     if [[ "$NOW" -ge "$COOLDOWN_END" ]]; then
       info "Recenter cooldown elapsed."
@@ -183,10 +190,17 @@ if [[ -n "$SEED_ETH" && -n "$KRAIKEN" ]]; then
     info "Seed buy complete."
 
     # Poll until recenter cooldown elapses
-    info "Polling for recenter cooldown to elapse ..."
-    LAST_RECENTER_AFTER="$(cast call --rpc-url "$RPC_URL" "$LM_ADDRESS" "lastRecenterTime()(uint256)" 2>/dev/null || echo "0")"
+    info "Polling for recenter cooldown to elapse (timeout: 5 min) ..."
+    LAST_RECENTER_AFTER="$(cast call --rpc-url "$RPC_URL" "$LM_ADDRESS" "lastRecenterTime()(uint256)" 2>/dev/null || echo "$LAST_RECENTER")"
     COOLDOWN_TARGET=$(( LAST_RECENTER_AFTER + 60 ))
+    POLL_ATTEMPTS=0
+    MAX_POLL_ATTEMPTS=60  # 60 × 5s = 5 min
     while true; do
+      POLL_ATTEMPTS=$(( POLL_ATTEMPTS + 1 ))
+      if [[ "$POLL_ATTEMPTS" -gt "$MAX_POLL_ATTEMPTS" ]]; then
+        error "Timed out waiting for recenter cooldown (${MAX_POLL_ATTEMPTS} polls). RPC may be degraded."
+        exit 1
+      fi
       NOW="$(cast block latest --rpc-url "$RPC_URL" --field timestamp 2>/dev/null || echo "0")"
       if [[ "$NOW" -ge "$COOLDOWN_TARGET" ]]; then
         info "Recenter cooldown elapsed."