Today I read a post on social media where a boat owner asked the community if anyone would be willing to aid him in towing his boat to a local repair shop. According to this boat owner, his marine service provider, in his case SeaTow, refused to help him with a tow. The specific details as to why SeaTow wouldn’t help were not provided. I can understand why the boat owner went to social media for help. He had nowhere else to turn.
The road to Hell is most always paved with good intentions. I want to believe we live in a society where help is easily offered and given freely. And in many cases, that is a comfort I like to hang on to. But when a request for help meets an environment that demands knowhow and deserves respect, what maybe a simple benign request for help, can quickly and unexpectedly become life-threatening in a matter of seconds.
What are your thoughts about a boat owner using his boat to run you and some friends to the party island. No big deal; right? I mean, you give a guy (or gal) 10 bucks to shuttle you out to a popular party island for the day. What is the harm in that?
How would you feel if your 10-dollar ride ended up with you or someone you cared about seriously injured or worse. Would you simply chalk up the experience as your poor choice; then, go on about your life? Or would hire the law offices of Dewey, Cheatum, and Howe, to go after that “irresponsible 10-dollar guy” that ended up with someone you cared about dead.
What if you discovered that “10-dollar guy” had no training, limited experience, no knowledge, on a boat that wasn’t safe, especially in the wrong hands. Would you let it go? After all, it was your choice to go with that 10-dollar deal. Something tells me you would want to sue the pants off the guy that was the responsible for the injury or death of you or someone you cared about.
Okay, Okay, that was a little dramatic, but it’s been known to happen; that’s why we have a boat load of laws and regulations. What most boaters, even experienced boaters don’t realize is that towing a boat is hundred times more dangerous than being ferried to a party island by an inexperienced boat owner. It is not my intention to be an alarmist; nor insult anyone’s intelligence…I mean how dangerous can attaching a dock line to someone’s boat really be? Actually… Towing a vessel is one of the most dangerous acts that is performed on the water. It is an undertaking that is extremely dangerous, requires knowledge, skill, experience and the correct equipment.
As I stated earlier, I want to believe we live in a society where help is easily offered and given freely. So, what’s the harm of helping someone with towing their boat. Most of the time, that road that was paved with good intentions doesn’t end up in hell. But as well all know, it has; and that’s why we have laws and regulations. There is nothing stopping you, legally, that prohibits one from hooking their dock line to a buddy’s boat and get them out of a jam. But the moment something of value is transferred to the person towing (cash, beer, food, a favor of value), laws and regulations come into play. I mean, who wouldn’t throw your bud a couple of bucks for helping you out.
Well, once you accept gratuity, you declare yourself as a professional and there are certain expectations that come with performing a task as a professional. Let me put it another way. If something went horribly wrong, the law offices of Dewey, Chetum, and Howe would certainly point out that you were not a professional; but accepted something of value as if you were. If you are going to accept payment to help someone out with towing a vessel, you should know that you must have a United States Coast Guard issued Captain’s license. But also, that Captain’s license also requires a special towing endorsement. A towing endorsement means that that Captain has had special education on the physics that needs to be understood to safely tow your boat.
But we live in a free society, and you can certainly help your bud out for free. HOWEVER, now there are other considerations you need to consider.
Did you know… Whether you are a Captain with a towing endorsement or simply a weekend boater helping your bud out, the moment you attach a line to a person’s boat for the purpose of towing, you are legally responsible for your boat, their boat, and all the souls on both boats. Do you remember that road paved with good intentions AND law offices of Dewey, Chetum, and Howe. Acts of kindness are never a big deal… until something goes wrong.
A few things to consider about towing
I don’t care how great of a boater you think you are, towing a boat is not an easy task. Remember, its not just about towing on calm water and in a straight line, you also need to attach the tow, secure the tow, and get it to its destination (dock or slip) and all the challenges along the way.
To avod making this a training session on boat towing, here are some additional considerations:
People are far more important than your tow; and your first priority is to your passengers and or crew.
Good communication between the towing vessel and the tow is critical.
Situational awareness is paramount, e.g. water conditions, weather, boat traffic, etc.
Assessing risk. You should consider whether is it better to rescue passengers rather than tow or call in a marine service provider.
Is your boat, tow equipment and towing experience capable to safely tow.
Understand the risks of snap back. If your tow lines are not designed, rated, and in good serviceable condition, the risk of severe injury and death can result in a line parting.
The tow line should be the weakest link with all the things used for towing, e.g. what you attached the tow line to.
If you are a charter captain on an active charter, never, ever initiate a tow; assess the situation for passenger safety, then call for assistance.
Depending how long the duration or rough the conditions of the tow; chafing gear may be needed.
Avoid getting in the water to attach a tow line.
If towing at night, do all your required lights work (on both vessels).
Unlike towing a car, you must be aware of all the forces that effect a tow; there’s a lot.
When in doubt…NEVER tow; that is what SeaTow and Boat US are for.
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