$ for assistance on the water

[Old Yeller Boater]

So....question for the masses with no right or wrong answer. Just curious to see what others do.

I've been a boat owner for about 3 years and have a weekend lake place, so out fairly frequently. I've had opportunity to help a couple different people with dead boats. They have generally offered to pay me for help, but I've always declined and just suggested they "pay it forward". What is everyone else's experiences?

 

[briangcc]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

Been on both sides...

Was towed back to a state launch after I had some issues with my current boat. I offered them up $20 for their time but they putted off without taking the $$.

Have towed a couple people back and have never accepted $$ for it. Figure its just good practice to help someone out to a dock.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

I've towed a boat to the launch, and I've pulled 2 boats off the beach after the nasty 4th of July storm we had this year. I turn down offers to give me money, but one of the boats I pulled off the beach this year insisted, and I think I would have insulted them if I refused to accept any more than I did. Thought it was going to be $20, but it turned out to be 3 soggy 20's wadded together. Enough to get the gas gauge to move a little, and they didn't have to pay big money to the marina towing service that was going around, so I guess it worked out for everybody.

 

[southkogs]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

I try never to "never," but as a rule ... I will generally offer money to someone who rescues me off the lake (have never had anyone take it), and I have always declined should someone offer to pay me for a help.

I can see a situation arise where I help out someone and it requires an exceptional run that eats up my fuel, and I might accept some help for gas - but I'd prefer to never have to do that.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

I have been on both sides.

I believe in paying it forward. however I have been towed in and offered to pay for fuel when my last tow in was about 5 miles to the ramp.

I have towed many people in who offered however, no problem have them pay it forward. I did charge one guy who wanted to be taken to his dock vs the nearest dock. since that was 22 miles, I told him a gallon per mile and we agreed.

 

[Old Yeller Boater]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

yeah, I could see if it was a long way. Most all I see are relatively close, like perhaps a mile.

 

[JB]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

I once accepted gas money from a guy I towed 20 miles to his dock and once sat in a waterfront cafe and let some gals I had towed buy me a beer, but my normal response is to ask them to pass it on to the next guy they see in trouble.

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

Just last night i had a failure and was befreinded by another boater. They refused money it made them feel good and myself also...Once ogain i owe society and will looking forward to assist someone else..Not a do gooder kind of person but im keepin my eyes pealed.

 

[LippCJ7]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

I have always refused politely, gave them the pay it forward speech and go about my business, but now that things have changed for me financially I don't think I can refuse anymore and I wouldn't feel bad about it one bit.

The most important factor is that if its offered you cannot go wrong either way, sharing an adult beverage is another great way to meet some new friends too.

 

[the vision]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

I have been on both sides. I offer money when I'm towed and tell them to pass it on when they offer me money. The last two guys I pulled in even offer the few fish they had caught, but I turned them down.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

As I stated in another thread, it is against the law to accept monetary payment for assisting on the water. Coast Guard Rules of Navigation require you to render assistance to a vessel is distress. That doesn't mean you have to tow them, but make sure they are safe or have help coming.
If you accept monetary payment for services, than you are a Commercial entitity, according to the Coast Guard, and you must be licensed, insured, and all sorts of other things.

You can accept a cool beverage, though.

 

[ngt]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

I'm with the "I'd offer money" and "I'd decline to take money".

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

it is against the law to accept monetary payment for assisting on the water.

Can you site your source for that?

Every year, hundreds of boaters discover first-hand the difference between contract towing and salvage. In many cases, the discovery is made when the surprised boat owner receives a bill for a salvage reward as opposed to a bill for towing services, and the difference between the two can be enormous. The typical towing bill is based upon the hourly-rates of the towing company. While such bills can be considerable, they will usually pale by comparison to a bill for a salvage reward, which is usually based upon the salvor?s claim that he is entitled to be liberally rewarded for saving property from damage by a marine peril.... .... It is not necessary for a salvor to be engaged in commerce or to be a professional tower/salvor. Passing boaters (known as ?chance salvors?) and professional salvors are both entitled to present a claim for a salvage reward. The only difference is in the size of their rewards, since professional salvors are typically entitled to receive an uplift in their rewards due to the investment of time and money they have made to purchase and maintain their equipment, keep up a radio watch, and to stand ready at an instant to assist boaters in distress.

http://www.offshorerisk.com/definitions/salvage.htm

This is all I could find, which seems to say, legally you can charge a fee to go out of your way to help, albeit, there needs to be some level of danger involved to justify the charge.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

soggy right now the only source I can identify is the Coast Guard Auxillary Boating Safety course I took in 2003, where they told us that. I am at home with my 21 month old son, so I can't spend much time on here to comb through the Coast Guard's site to find the actual wording.
And your find is all about salvage, which is different than towing, as they explain.

 

[salty87]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

that's like saying you can't accept money for gas from friends because then you need to be licensed as a captain, be inspected for carrying passengers, etc.

i would hope (when it comes to the courts and lawyers all bets are off) that a water cop or judge would understand the difference between being in the business of towing vs. the kind act of offering assistance and being reimbursed for the time inconvenience or gas costs for going out of your way.

i'm in the pay it forward if helping/offer to pay if needing help camp.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

TilliamWe, the article i linked warned about knowing the difference between towing and salvage.
Motor won't start? Easy tow.
Beached and stuck (I've pulled 2 boats off beaches this summer, and stood by ready to take over for 2 more), well now, that could be salvage...

I'll check the the CG Aux stuff, see what I can find contrary to what I've seen so far.. I enjoy digging into the nitty gritty or dry literature for bits like this.

 

[nwcove]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

i would never accept money for a tow, but would definitely offer money to be towed. i have towed two boats in the last two seasons, and find it ironic that im pulling a $30k boat with my 1957 5.5 johnson and a leaky 12ft tinny! thats priceless!

 

[Fireman431]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

I've had opportunity to help a couple different people with dead boats. They have generally offered to pay me for help, but I've always declined and just suggested they "pay it forward".

Your posting is a waste of time. You've already got the perfect answer right there...good for you.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

Whatever the law is or is not, I would offer reimbursement for a tow and politely refuse if offered after towing someone with the "pass it on" approach.

 

[TilliamWe]

Re: $ for assistance on the water

that's like saying you can't accept money for gas from friends because then you need to be licensed as a captain, be inspected for carrying passengers, etc.

i would hope (when it comes to the courts and lawyers all bets are off) that a water cop or judge would understand the difference between being in the business of towing vs. the kind act of offering assistance and being reimbursed for the time inconvenience or gas costs for going out of your way.

i'm in the pay it forward if helping/offer to pay if needing help camp.

You would think so too Salty. But have you ever seen all the laws regarding "Salvage" operations on the water? They come from the 1800s and they are INSANE! Just as soggy pointed out that little bit. So I am not saying it makes any logical sense, but we are talking about boats and the Federal Government here. When do they ever make sense?!