Towed a guy in, have some questions.

[oldjeep]

Re: Towed a guy in, have some questions.

No particular citizen HAS to TOW anyone. If you are worried about legalities you better not tow anyone. There are other ways to assist.

The day I start worrying about my liability helping someone out of the middle of the lake is the day I turn in my man card and move to CA :facepalm:

Maybe different in other places but for the most part MN nice still exists and you can count on help when you need it.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Towed a guy in, have some questions.

That is not the law. Liability is not determined by whose rope you use.

And as for "good samaritan" laws, they vary from state to state and usually have very limited applications, (just like lemon laws don't apply to used boats) so no need to worry about them when deciding to do the right thing.

Basic law of negligence is that if you assume a duty, you have to use ordinary care. Again nothing to worry about if you are careful.

So it's not anything to worry about in typical situations, nor is there any way to predict the outcome of an unusual situation gone wrong. Let your conscience (for thems what gots one) be your guide.

I'm not thinking about damage to my rope. Besides, if they throw me a frayed bit of clothesline as a towrope, I'll offer to call SeaTow/BoatUs for them. From my understanding, if let's say, their boat sinks while you are towing them with your rope, or the boat is damaged in some way, or one of their passengers falls off, etc., you could be held liable. I'm not honestly 100% on the legalities of the liabilities involved in towing, but I'd rather not take the chance. Now, if this was x miles offshore, and their lives were in peril, or something, I wouldn't worry about whose rope was being used. I'm not that much of an _s_h_l_.

 

[Nandy]

Re: Towed a guy in, have some questions.

The day I start worrying about my liability helping someone out of the middle of the lake is the day I turn in my man card and move to CA :facepalm:

Maybe different in other places but for the most part MN nice still exists and you can count on help when you need it.

Just to clarify my post, I have towed plenty of people and I have been towed like twice, so I am not against doing so. Im just saying, if you are too worried about legalities (folks do get sued for almost anything these days) just dont do it. Your duty in the water if to offer assistance if someone life is in danger. That means bring them aboard in some cases, stay with them until help arrives, got find help, but never ever to tow a boat specially when one dont have the training, certifications and right equipment.
There are plenty of manly men in CA still holding their man cards.... Just saying...

 

[JimS123]

Re: Towed a guy in, have some questions.

No particular citizen HAS to TOW anyone. If you are worried about legalities you better not tow anyone. There are other ways to assist.

That's my position too.

If they are sinking, I'll throw them PFDs and help them aboard my boat. If they don't have an anchor, I give them one of mine and ask them if they would please return it later. I am equipped with a cellphone and a VHF. I'll gladly call the CG or SeaTow for them, then wait with them while they are on the way.

But I won't tow them with my line or theirs. My boat is not equipped for towing, nor do i have the expertise. I won't risk the wellbeing of my family or my boat. On the other hand, I AM equipped to help myself with my kicker, or call for help if necessary.

 

[NFA]

Re: Towed a guy in, have some questions.

If the guy was getting knocked around, I would have brought him on board. I don't know the laws and regulations around towing, but why not just have them onboard and leave the boat out the back?

You did the correct thing with tying him up and rafting in to the dock. I've done this a few times, not just for towing, but rafting along with other boats. It's the best way to gain control and navigate your boat when tied together.

Finally, good job on helping out a fellow boater! We've all been on the other side and if it wasn't for the generosity of others on the water, it wouldn't be as enjoyable.



SSS