My first stranded boater

[KDAVID1]

Re: My first stranded boater

I agree if you do not have tow insurance you should not own a boat. On the other hand I will tow someone who I think needs help and either has or doesn't have the insurance.

I suppose alot of the tow insurance is directed to vessels out in the oceans? I do suppose with those types of boats the concern of pirates and or damaging your own boat could be more of a concern--not so much around here.

 

[Mel Taylor]

Re: My first stranded boater

I agree if you do not have tow insurance you should not own a boat.

I live in New Mexico and do my boating there and in Sonora, Mexico. As far as I know, nobody sells towing insurance in either of those two states. I guess I'm one of those who shouldn't own a boat according to your way of thinking.

 

[soggy_feet]

Re: My first stranded boater

I've towed one boat in.

Little speed boat with 2 guys in it. They had stopped in the middle of the lake for a swim, and couldn't get their boat started again when they were done.
They were pretty happy with the help, as they were fighting an increasing headwind with a few miles to go, and the reason the wind was picking up was the big thunderstorm rolling in.

Kind of a funny sight, because with the tow boat being a houseboat, you could have guessed that I was just towing around a rather expensive tender.

Flip side of that has me wondering what I would go thru if I needed a tow. Comments above already have shown that some people don't believe they could tow a big boat with a little jon boat, and most of teh big boats around are Habs who, in my experience, aren't that friendly.

For the record, a 3hp gamefisher will push a houseboat provided its not much more than a light breeze. (SOMETIMES it gets boring as a liveaboard) ha

 

[ezmobee]

Re: My first stranded boater

I agree if you do not have tow insurance you should not own a boat. On the other hand I will tow someone who I think needs help and either has or doesn't have the insurance.

Too broad a statement. I would guess that there are far more bodies of water not serviced by a tow company than are.

 

[Raystownboater]

Re: My first stranded boater

Where is the text to this law?

TITLE 46--SHIPPING

Subtitle II--Vessels and Seamen

Part A--General Provisions

CHAPTER 23--OPERATION OF VESSELS GENERALLY

Sec. 2304. Duty to provide assistance at sea

(a) A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render
assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so
far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious
danger to the master's or individual's vessel or individuals on board.
(b) A master or individual violating this section shall be fined not
more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both.

(Pub. L. 98-89, Aug. 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 509.)

 

[greenbush future]

Re: My first stranded boater

It is not a law, Under distress and life threatening are two different things.

It is the law here in Michigan anyways: If you knowingly leave a person in a boat that is in danger, you are breaking the law, not only is it the right thing to do, it?s the law!
This doesn?t mean you tow the broken sinking boat in, it means you save the lives of people who are in harms way, let the boat sink, that isn?t what is important. There is no law that states you must help a boater who is having engine problems, but that too is just the obvious right thing to do. I think some are confusing the law and how it works, but you never leave a person who is in danger, but you also never put yourself, your boat or it?s passengers in harms way either when trying to help others..

 

[bassman284]

Re: My first stranded boater

Too broad a statement. I would guess that there are far more bodies of water not serviced by a tow company than are.

I did a little research and the closest I could find to me was in the Chicago area, about 200 miles away.

 

[bigdee]

Re: My first stranded boater

There is no law that states you must help a boater who is having engine problems, but that too is just the obvious right thing to do.

Engine problems can be life threatening if there is a hydroelectric dam downstream! A boat sitting against a 50 foot drop off with nothing but some flimsy wooden splash boards holding you is not a good feeling!

 

[BIGALF]

Re: My first stranded boater

At sea is much different then on a lake or ICW. I see many boaters here in Florida who have no boat safety course training or even have any idea of how dangerous a boat can be. All of Florida large lakes or ICW have tow companies to help a boater. I think most of the boaters who don't have the insurance are to cheap to spend a few bucks for safety. Most of the boaters I have helped were boaters with no idea of what to do other then wave at a boater to help them out. If I'm going for a boat ride after a hard week of work. I sure don't want to help a boater who forgot to put fuel in his tank.

 

[2 Eagles]

Re: My first stranded boater

I've stopped and helped and been helped. I also stop and help on the interstate. As said above it's the right thing to do. I don't have tow insurance for my boats because
they don't have it around here. And I not going to stop boating just because the don't have tow insurance in me area. I thank you did the right thing and pay it forward is the only way to go. It may be me next time.

 

[joewithaboat]

Re: My first stranded boater

I?m a big believer in helping whenever possible, even if it is inconvenient. I like the pay it forward idea and have refused funds in return for helping. I have been on the other end, needing a tow. One time at sea in a smallish boat. Thank god for the flare gun, 3 flares and that someone saw the third shot.

 

[NetDoc]

Re: My first stranded boater

Karma is awesome. Give and you shall receive, full measure and overflowing!

 

[halfmoa]

Re: My first stranded boater

I agree if you do not have tow insurance you should not own a boat.

I looked into tow insurance but the 250 mile span from the nearest location to my lake was prohibitive...

 

[Kohrah]

Re: My first stranded boater

I've grown up on Lake Ontario, which can be a cruel cruel mistress. Can go from flat calm to 3-4' rollers to 6' white caps in a matter of an hour. Of course to anyone whose grown up near water could see the signs of weather changing and a storm coming. With that said, I fully believe in helping others without a second thought nor see it as an inconvenience. Especially if I see the weather changing and the "city slickers/flat landers" don't.

One experience that stands out in my mind of the pay it forward, was the summer camp down the road where I grew up went out with the campers with probably 15 canoes. Of course there was a slight southern wind when they started which quickly whipped up and started to pull them out into the lake. A few of the canoes capsized. At the time all I had was a row boat myself so I wasn't going to willing put myself in danger but I started biking from house to house along the road letting the other people I knew to be boaters know and we setup a watch line keeping them all within sight and over the phones guided the coast guard and sheriffs boat to each group and letting them know how many were free floating in the water and their location in respect to land. Not one single camper was lost although i'm sure there are still a few canoes on the bottom of the lake someplace.

 

[CC245]

Re: My first stranded boater

I towed in 4 boats this summer, and was surprised how unprepared they were. One was a small OB that I got to just before it was blown onto a rocky island. They had no paddle or line to throw. Another boat was taking on water and nobody was wearing a lifejacket. They also had no paddle. Got everyone in safely, and as always told them to pay it forward. I'm building up my boat karma for when I need it.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: My first stranded boater

I have pulled many boats back to a dock. most were complete strangers, many were friends. issues such as dead batteries, bad starters, hydrolocked engines, blown drives, smashed outdrives, spun hubs, and general crap that happens. the shortest tow was 3 miles, the longest 27 miles.

I myself have needed to be towed in twice. once for a blown up stringer 400, once for a failed mercruiser ignition pickup sensor. both cases, I paid the fishermen that towed me in to cover fuel and lunch. I have towing insurance, and in the past used tow boat us, and sea tow. however even with insurance, the price they quoted me was outrageous, and paying a passing fishing boat was much easier on the wallet.

pay it forward, karma comes around.

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: My first stranded boater

Where a body of water is large and boats are far a few, then tow insurance is a must. A smaller lake with lots of boats, usually there is good people who will help you out.

I use to boat a lot on Lake Erie by the islands. I never needed help, but assisted in towing and helping others get into port. One occassion, the family I helped did have tow insurance, but in the near distance a storm was brewing. The father said he could wait for the tow but I insisted that I go ahead and tow him in. By the time we got into Port Clinton it was pouring and wind was blowing hard. He called the tow company to cancel the tow and they had yet to leave. He was glad I insisted on getting them in. He wanted to pay me, but I declined. We got our boat back to the marina and found a cooler in my boat that wasn't mine. Opened it up and it was full of yellow perch with a note saying thank you.

Then this summer, we was headed out to a concert on the local lake. We noticed a jet ski that was flipped over. A man and 3 girls. I was wondering why there were 4 on the jet ski. One was on a tube and 3 on the ski. Anyway we started hearing the girls crying and screaming for help. So I headed in that direction while other boats that were closer continued to cruise on out to the concert area. When we got there, the jet ski's nose was the only thing bobbing up and down in the water. I got on the VHF and called the lake patrol. While I was calling them, my buddies were throwing a rope to the guy to tie on the ski. The girls got onboard, gave them some towels and blankets. The lake patrol got there in minuets and hooked the ski up to their boat. They towed the ski back to the ramp and I followed them to drop off the girls. They thanked us many times. Even though we missed about an hour of the concert, it was more rewarding to have aided them while they were in distress. It was a father, mother, and 2 daughters. They were out of state on vacation.

Cudo's to those who pay it forward and does the right thing................SS

 

[Silly Seville]

Re: My first stranded boater

I experienced my first pay-it-forward and payback on the same day this summer. My buddy and I were cruising a shoreline in the bow rider enjoying a sunset when he waves at some girls on a jet-ski that was idling (or so I thought) nearby. I turned to look over my shoulder wondering how I missed an opportunity to wave (I always do) and noticed the girls were doing the wild arms over the head wave at us. I thought at first they were just enthusiastic new boaters and dismissed it, but then it dawned on me they might be waving for help. I spun around, headed back and sure enough, they were stranded. Turns out it was two teenage sisters on board the ski, and their dad was in the water trying to SWIM the ski to shore! Needless to say, we threw him a tow rope and got them safely to a nearby ramp where facilities were available. The best part of this story is, when my buddy and I were ending our evening and headed for our ramp; in the dark with a system brewing and wind picking up across the water, I lose the engine about 1/2 mile from nearest dock. He's paddling from the bow to keep us off the rip-rap (large jagged rocks) while I attempt a flashlight survey of engine. I'm finally ready to toss an anchor to keep us off the rocks when four guys who were done fishing for the night, came along in a 10 hp 14 ft Jon boat. With beer in one hand and tiller in the other, the captain pulls us to the docks unscathed. I thanked them profusely as there was no one else nearby, and the rain and lightening/thunderstorms began about 10 minutes after we safely departed the ramp. We could not have POSSIBLY paddled that distance with the quartering headwind and increasing chop. Nine folks were exposed to some goodwill that day. Funny how our vessels were all at opposite ends of the "boating" spectrum, but that did not prevent courteous action. Hope this encourages the next person to do what is right, if it can be done safely for both parties involved.

 

[KDAVID1]

Re: My first stranded boater

Very cool--everyone came out on the good end of things.

 

[fngboater]

Re: My first stranded boater

I experienced my first pay-it-forward and payback on the same day this summer. My buddy and I were cruising a shoreline in the bow rider enjoying a sunset when he waves at some girls on a jet-ski that was idling (or so I thought) nearby. I turned to look over my shoulder wondering how I missed an opportunity to wave (I always do) and noticed the girls were doing the wild arms over the head wave at us. I thought at first they were just enthusiastic new boaters and dismissed it, but then it dawned on me they might be waving for help. I spun around, headed back and sure enough, they were stranded. Turns out it was two teenage sisters on board the ski, and their dad was in the water trying to SWIM the ski to shore! Needless to say, we threw him a tow rope and got them safely to a nearby ramp where facilities were available. The best part of this story is, when my buddy and I were ending our evening and headed for our ramp; in the dark with a system brewing and wind picking up across the water, I lose the engine about 1/2 mile from nearest dock. He's paddling from the bow to keep us off the rip-rap (large jagged rocks) while I attempt a flashlight survey of engine. I'm finally ready to toss an anchor to keep us off the rocks when four guys who were done fishing for the night, came along in a 10 hp 14 ft Jon boat. With beer in one hand and tiller in the other, the captain pulls us to the docks unscathed. I thanked them profusely as there was no one else nearby, and the rain and lightening/thunderstorms began about 10 minutes after we safely departed the ramp. We could not have POSSIBLY paddled that distance with the quartering headwind and increasing chop. Nine folks were exposed to some goodwill that day. Funny how our vessels were all at opposite ends of the "boating" spectrum, but that did not prevent courteous action. Hope this encourages the next person to do what is right, if it can be done safely for both parties involved.

Geez...im about teared up after reading that one. I still have yet to take my first boat out on the water but already know that helping others out is "just right"...even if they're stupidly wrong. Heck i can remember growing up, being out on the sailboat, you always waived at other boaters and were always corteous to them as they passed. Usually even greeted each other. (much slower in a sail boat, lol)