Always Help Boaters in Distress

[Hashi]

During the busy Labor Day weekend I took my family out on the lake and halfway into the day, we saw a boat not moving with about six young adults on it waving their arms to get the attention of other nearby boaters just whizzing by. I finally got close enough to them to find out they were having so much fun that they didn't pay attention to their gas gauge and had run out. There must have been about 20 boats that went by them without finding out what the problem was. Isn't it a boaters decree to help stranded boaters? In some states, it's the law. I ended up towing the boat back to a dock with a gas station. They were so grateful and wanted to offer money but I didn't take it. It angered me to see other boaters not helping and I just told them to do something nice for others that are in need. They were also very apologetic that their problem caused the loss of some of our fun time but it was my duty to help them. They were good kids that worked for some high tech company and hope whatever they're working on will help humanity. I hope all boaters on this forum will help others that are in need.

 

[BigDfromTN]

Good for you!
I agree whole Heartedly and would have done exactly the same.

I tell folks that offer pay for assistance the same thing, Just pass it on. Hopefully if I, or any of my family ever need assistance someone will come along and help too.

 

[Slip Away]

Yep, pay it forward. I have been helped when stranded, and will offer assistance to a boater that needs it as well.

 

[redneck joe]

I always help.

 

[JASinIL2006]

I don't know if it's mandated, but helping a stranded boater certainly is the act of a decent human being. Good for you! I wish more people were willing to go out of their way to help others.

 

[paddlers]

I usually think of people afloat whatever their means of transport as one big club. Commercial or leisure we're all part of the same community even if there are some idiots out there......
You never know when you might be the one needing the assistance!

 

[southkogs]

Good for you. No law that I know of here in TN, but kind of an unspoken creed among serious boaters. I've been left stranded too many times not to help when I can.

 

[gddavid]

It seems to me that boaters are slower to help each other since commerical operations (Seatow, TowboatUS) came onto the scene. And it seems like people are more likely to help each other in more remote areas. I don't fault these companies but it is a sad trend to see.

 

[jigngrub]

Always Help Boaters in Distress

Why would you not?

I will stop and ask people if they need help even if they aren't trying to flag me down but look like they may be having problems (motor cowl off or cranking on a motor that won't start... anything that looks like they may need some help).

I've had people stop and help me before and I'm always eager to pay it back or pay it forward, it's the right thing to do.

 

[Brian 26]

A mistake I've seen people do is wave with one arm, other boaters waive back and keep driving. When in distress waive with both arms.

 

[ihearth2o]

Reason why I never refuse to give a jump when someone asks, cuz I just never know when I'll need one myself (again). Karma is watching.

 

[bobdec]

Works out OK 99% of the time, lost count of assistance I provided over the years, I have required towing 2 times and was appreciative. However things have changed in the past few years, Once you hook the other boat up using your line you are now 100% liable for that boat and passengers. Scratch or damage the towed boat when docking it and pray it's not owned by a lawyer. Don't even think about the cost of a snapped tow line injuring a towed passenger.. Just make sure you know what you are doing. I still help but access the situation, boat size, wind and sea conditions, are they in imminent danger, distance of tow.. Let them throw you the line use for towing, if it's a 1/4 inch poly walk away. I have only had two bad instances out of many assists, one was a fall down drunk that killed his battery while anchored, I pulled back a bit after speaking with. The other was a boat of very high young adults happily drifting in the middle of the channel that I did not feel comfortable assuming liability for. In both cases I offered to call for assistance , both declined.
I personally carry tow insurance for that very reason. If I need towing ,run aground, out of fuel or need a jump start I'd rather call an insured professional than gamble on any one who is passing by. 24/7 fresh water unlimited water assistance is $67.00 a year. Relatively low cost considering the costs of boating..

 

[thumpar]

Reason why I never refuse to give a jump when someone asks, cuz I just never know when I'll need one myself (again). Karma is watching.

Yep. Had to give a guy a jump a few weeks ago. He even offered me money. I just said nah, have a nice day. We on the lake if it looks like someone is having trouble I will ask if they need help. I carry a set of tools that has 1/4, 3/8 and 3/4 ratchets with metric and standard both 12 point and 6 point plus various metric and standard wrenches, screwdrivers and pliers. If it can't be fixed on the water I would tow them in.

 

[Scott Danforth]

:thumb: Karma comes around.

I have been on both ends of the tow rope myself. Pulled one boat 13 miles. Been towed 23 miles (tow boat US)

 

[rsmitty814]

Yup. Pay it forward. When I had some electrical problems. As soon as I got the paddle out. 2 boats stopped and asked if I needed assistance. I have always stopped and offered my help. Especially on the water.

 

[paddlers]

Actually happened to me a couple of weeks ago. My wife was driving the boat ( to be fair she's not that confident) and I was on the skis and we were approaching a WAFI moored up in the bay who were waving furiously. We were about a 150 m from them and I presumed that they were either upset that we were going to either make a wake or run over their anchor rope so I dropped off the skis which meant my wife would slow and recover me. I got in the boat slightly chastising my wife and motored over to the yacht to apologise............ Turns out they'd lost their tender which was blowing towards rocks about 250 m away and could we recover it. No problem but it cost me the price of a nice meal and a hefty slice of humble pie!

 

[tomdinwv]

I have stopped and checked on a couple of boats with the cowl up/off. Both were ok and just tinkering with something on their motors. The one time I needed help, there was no one out on the river. I had ran out of gas. I had to paddle it into the bank, take a nice long walk, and buy a couple gas cans and gas to get my boat to a gas dock. Didn't see another boat until after we had gotten fuel. It sucked being stranded. I would never leave someone in that position if I can help. The only exceptions I might make would be if someone was drunk/high and possibly dangerous. Then I would be glad to contact the local authorities to help them out.

 

[Triangleboater]

Yeah, so I was at Masonboro island, near Wilmington NC this labor day, fishing, camping, having a great time when putt putt my engine died and I was working like hell to get it started. 6 or 7 boats went by without even slowing when I obviously was having a hard time dead in the water looking at all the passing boaters with a big frowny face. I was a little disappointing as I have helped countless boaters in need. I did end up fixing it (kinked fuel line). I don't pay for a tow service as I typically am a small lake boater and the lake doesn't have any tow services.

 

[NYBo]

...I obviously was having a hard time dead in the water looking at all the passing boaters with a big frowny face.

Not to excuse the failure of anyone to stop and ask if you needed help, but that's not exactly a universal sign requesting assistance. Personally, my aging eyes probably wouldn't have taken notice of your facial expression unless I was very close. Wave both arms if you find yourself in such a situation again.

 

[agallant80]

I have towed people in on the lake more than my fare share and I am fine with that. The ocean. ICW or the bay is another thing. There are towing services out there. I am not going to tow you in because you didn't pay the $169 for seatow and now have to pay the full price for the tow. Its not my job to save you money.

I had some guy get pissed at me. He was out fishing at Thomas Point looked like an old Persuite with twin 150's. He ran out of fuel and asked if I would tow him back to Sandy Point which is about 10 miles. I told him I would call seatow (his battery was dead too from cranking over the motors so much with no fuel). He was mad at me. He was not in danger, had his anchor down, Seatow and the USCG knew of him and seatow had him on the list.

I figure in that situation I would risk hurting myself or one of our boats trying to hook him up, not to mention I am not a towing vessel.