The Tow

[coachmup]

Re: The Tow

Jtexas<br /><br />Eagle Mountain.

 

[ChrisMcLaughlin]

Re: The Tow

Speedwrench, <br />I must have misspoken or mistyped. I am on the "tow the other guy in" side. I have towed in several boats. If I ever have to be towed in I will offer money, bait, beer, thanks, promise to do the same for others,whatever it takes. What I meant was, Is it right (legal) to pass someone up that you think may be truly in harms way and not offer help when no other help seems possible? I hope I got the question right this time.

 

[jtexas]

Re: The Tow

trblshtr, I had been thinking like you that the law required it but when I researched the state law all I could find was a requirement to stop and render aid if your boat is involved in an accident unless doing so would endanger your craft or crew. Maybe the USCG has some kind of ruling?<br /><br />jtw

 

[speedwrench]

Re: The Tow

Jtex: Trailer lights in south Texas?? They give tickets for rodeo horse trailers with more than one dim one on Sat night here. (Lights, not drivers) Live less then 1/4 mile from ramp by rural road, 3/4 by boat. Have the lights where just on with wingnut and plug in. Take off to launch. Don't bother with them when just launching here.<br /><br />trblshtr: I didn't take it that way, that's just the way I think. Don't try to readn anything extra into anything I write or say. It just ain't there. <br />And I'm a tow anybody type too. Don't even consider what law is. But I may just have all kind reasons (out of gas, motor barely running) why HE might sit there quite a while longer

 

[speedwrench]

Re: The Tow

Hey Jtex, jump over to "passed in street by my own boat and trailer" Feb 10 post by KeltonKrew. I swear I did not see that post until after my post. I'm still laughing. See what I mean. And don't try to tell me the jackpot rodeo cowboys have trailer lights now in DFW. Sure weren't required years ago there and still not here.

 

[jtexas]

Re: The Tow

No doubt they make exceptions for livestock, at least on the Ft Worth side. Roll of duct tape and a flashlight, what more could you ask of a man?

 

[POINTER94]

Re: The Tow

I think this answers your question as to your obligations. Out of the USCG web site:<br /><br />Rendering Assistance<br /><br />The master of a vessel is obligated by law to provide assistance to any person in danger at sea. The master is subject to a fine and/or imprisonment for failure to do so. Many boaters refer to this great tradition as "The Law of the Sea."<br /><br />In U.S. waters, the Federal Boating Safety Act of 1971 contains a "Good Samaritan" provision that states:<br /><br />"Any person...who gratuitously and in good faith renders assistance at the scene of a vessel collision, accident, or other casualty without objection of any person assisted, shall not be held liable for any act or omission in providing or arranging salvage, towage, medical treatment, or other assistance where the assisting person acts as a ordinary, reasonable prudent man would have acted under the same or similar circumstances."<br /><br />FYI

 

[KeltonKrew]

Re: The Tow

No doubt they make exceptions for livestock, at least on the Ft Worth side. Roll of duct tape and a flashlight, what more could you ask of a man?

Not just any ole flashlight will do....you need the cheapies in case the duct tape comes off and you lose your lights...plus, we couldn't afford expensive lights.....<br /><br />Plus side to flashlights is they wont burn up your wiring when you back them down into the water

 

[speedwrench]

Re: The Tow

He's only going to be in danger of seeing the sun set, the stars come out, and setting there a while longer.<br />And the way I read your "Good Samaritan" provision, then he's breaking the law *itching about me. Right?

 

[GWAR]

Re: The Tow

Reminds me of last summer. Everyone beached in the cove. Storms start to come in and everyone is heading out. My friend and I help push everyone out, and we are the last to leave. My boat has dug itself into the sand sitting there for several hours. The two of us try to get the boat off the beach with no luck. As we begin to ponder the severity of the oncoming storm one of the boats that we helped off the shore notices us and swings back to help. We greatfully accepted the favor in return. Being on the Lake in Oklahoma when a storm comes up is not much fun. Wonder how a tornado looks on the water? Anyway, thanks to those that do stop and help.

 

[Dave Abrahamson]

Re: The Tow

 

[what66]

Re: The Tow

I had to be towed in once It was last year we were crusing around for abouht an hour we stop to test the trolling motor it won't work by the way<br />well we restart the main and start going fine the the engine sputers and quits after many pulls and bad words I try fixing the eninge to no advail.<br />I had a cell phone called the marina but know one could come and get us we had no jackets and no lights we start to wonder if we would have to spend all night out there.<br />No it was late in the boating season so there were few boats after 1.5hrs we saw some fishermen heading in my freind waved thaem down and the towed us badk to the dock I oferd to buy theam dinner at the merina diner the refused they were really nice guys.<br />I have never seen any broken down boats yet but when I do you bet I will help and I will gladly refuse any money.<br />Being stuck like that is a bad feeling we were in no danger that time but who knows if that guy waving you down is or not.<br />I belive here in utah It is a law that you must render help to any boater in trouble.<br />And I will in a second.Thank you to the guys who towed me in .<br />buy the way I no longer go out without ALL my safty gear and working lights and a spare eninge.<br />be safe and be kind

 

[Twidget]

Re: The Tow

Eagle Mountain

Unless things have changed in the last decade, your location pretty much explains it Coach. I used to boat up there in the early 90's. The attitude of most of the people I ran across got me to quit going.<br /><br />One of the sail boat clubs were having a race or something one day. An idiot in a single engine amphibious aircraft landed right in the middle of them. <br /><br />I bought a camper lot in Indian harbor last fall. Due to work, I havent been on Granbury but twice. Any suggestions/warnings about the lake?

 

[toomanyboats]

Re: The Tow

Heres a tow story.<br />Picture this,December in Ca.Taking the Seadoos for a spin to charge the batterys,late afternoon turning to dusk, im on one,my daughter on the other,COLD,looked over and about a mile down the lake some guy waving his arms in panic,no one else around,needless to say I towed in and it took about an hour and a half,then had to ride 10 more minutes to get back to my marina.he offered money and I refused!WHAT COMES AROUND GOES AROUND IN TOWINGS ,ALWAYS OFFER SOME TYPE OF HELP,NEXT TIME IT COULD BE YOU.<br /><br /><br />81 30'PONTOON TWIN 115 MERCS<br />79 21 HAWAINAAIN JET BOAT<br />98 272 bAJA ISLANDER<br />COUPLE OF SEA-FLEAS

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: The Tow

Nice thread. If you read it from the begining, there seams to be a few "missunderstandings".<br />This is my "take" on this.<br />1)If a guest on a boat being towed offers you gas money.....don't be offended if the amount is small. Untill you own a boat you have no idea how much gas a boat drinks up in half an hour (the captain of the towed boat was most likely to polite or embarassed to ask the guest how much she "slipped you").<br />2)Offering assistance to a boater in peril does not mean that anyone is legaly required to tow a boat in. In fact, unless you know what you are doing, you may be putting everyone on both boats in danger by offering a tow. At least stop, offer a cell phone or radio, and if both parties think it is safe and have propper lines and equipment...by all means give your fellow boater a tow.<br />3)Do not assume, that because you are stopped on the water or even have an engine cover off, that other boaters know that you need help. Several people check their boat motors and even do "tuning" on the water.....if you need help, wave both arms above your head whenever another boat is in view. By the way, we all carry distress flags in our boats....don't we ?<br />I have, when I thought safe, towed other boats in and have never accepted a dime. If I am ever needing a tow, I will make sure that the lines and tow boat are safe for all of us before accepting, or I will graciously ask that they call someone for me. In either case, I will offer thanks, as well as at least a fifty, or offer of dinner or ? I hate to admitt it, but there are a few boats and people, that unless they were facing severe or dire circumstances, I would leave them stranded......I wouldn't risk my boat or time for.

 

[tomatolord]

Re: The Tow

Ran out of gas and spare gas as well....got towed back from some friendly boaters on Falls lake, about 1/2 to place I put in.<br /><br />I offered to pay and his response was - I am still down 3 <br /><br />Meaning he had been towed by others four other times - so he felt that he actually owed other people the tow!

 

[artburr]

Re: The Tow

I have towed disabled boats in a number of times and never thought of asking for anything nor did I accept anything when offered. Three weeks ago, my wife and I were crabbing when my 40 hp. Nissan crapped out. Fired up the kicker (5 hp Nissan) and went about our business until I fouled a prop, tilted the motor too high to clear it and broke a fuel fitting. So nothing worked. I finally flagged some guys who were heading out to place their crab pots. They said they would be back after doing so. They started to tow us in and I said that they could have everything that we had in our five crab pots if they would help us pull them. It was a nice catch and all were happy, I think.

 

[artburr]

Re: The Tow

Last week, a boat with three people in had the same problem in the same area and were swept over the bar. Two of them drowned. An anchor might have saved them or, if they had a cell phone they could have called 911 and the Coast Guard would have been there in minutes. Never take chances on an outgoing tide and be prepared!

 

[waterone1@aol.com]

Re: The Tow

Art, I'm glad you brought that up....an anchor is part of safety equipment.....I lost a friend last year because of that. Secondly, remember, if in a larger boat going over a dam, the safest place is "down below"....the boat will come out the other side (most likely)...if you are thrown from the deck....you will not be able to outswim the dam.