What is the deal with Sea Tow? Jerks!

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06-26-2008 | 03:08 PM

#151

Cevert

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Joined: Jun 2004

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Quote:

Originally Posted by exshipdude

I do not want to debate the Miami topic, I have checked into the situaion and feel he did a good job and charged appropriotly for the services rendered. I would define the service as Recovery more than Salvage, but Salvage is the legally acceptable term, which is why it is used.

Thanks,

Joe

Please explain this ludicrous statement when they failed to meet the very conditions you stated:

For a salvage claim to exist there must be three elements present.

1. Peril

You write that you "checked into" this, are you now stating this boat was in peril, as it was being towed by the Geico RIB, or that they simply got away with it?

06-26-2008 | 03:08 PM

#152

Apathetic

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Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 144

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From: Chesapeake Bay

Quote:

Originally Posted by PARADOX

I just had a conversation with some execs. and VP's at Boat US regarding this issue.
Here is in a nut shell of the answers.
While Boat US "licensees" are required to inform as to salvage or tow... it's know that some bad apples will not and they are just out for a quick scam.
Attorney, insurance companies and arbitration can settle the 'salvage" issues but obviously it's a head ache.

The owner/captain should ask SPECIFICALY if the service will be a tow or salvage.
Make sure your boat nsurance has "Stu ( I think that's what they said) and labor coverage.
Have a documents on board and have the "tower" whom ever that might be sign it that it will NOT be a salvage and when if it becomes or changes, the owner/captain will be notified of such.

In short.. while it seems BoatUS are the better bunch. it's up to us .. boaters to be aware and carefull with towing etc...
Boat insurance companies should be contacted and get their DIRECT take on each incured.

I will call mine in a few.. and make the appropriate docs.. (just in case.)

Awesome information. Definitely everyone should check with their insurance. I did read, however, that AETNA tried to deny covering a salvage tow but ended up forced to in court.

Do you mind posting up your doc when you create it? I'd like to take a look and create one, too.

Thanks again.

06-26-2008 | 03:32 PM

#153

Chris Sunkin

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Joined: Oct 2003

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Cevert

I believe their argument would be that the boat was involved in a significant mishap. The boat was "recovered" in an inverted condition and presumably had suffered damage. Further to that, I believe they would assert that a significant possibility existed that the boat's condition could have worsened, potentially resulting in the total loss of the craft.

I don't know how they would have justified "abandoning" the boat prior to it being positioned for removal by the crane.

Be careful not to diminish the fact that there exists the possibility for things to go very wrong, very quickly. There are no shortages of stories about rescuers needing rescued. Had the boat decided to go down while tied to the Geico boat and had it been tied off improperly or inattentively, this could have been worse.

I was watching TruTV last night for a moment and on came one of those "things gone wrong" shows. It showed a emergency service rescue boat being pulled over by a boat they were attempting to stop. These were trained safety professionals that found themselves in the water with a flipped rescue boat and another boat circling them operator-less.

I'm not saying these ST guys weren't SOB's. But as a whole, these people do provide a necessary service.

06-26-2008 | 05:08 PM

#154

ScottB

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From: Jupiter, Fl

I have a 1000 gallon per minute pump on the GEICO/Mercury rescue boat, she wasn't going down

Last edited by ScottB; 06-26-2008 at 05:13 PM.

06-26-2008 | 05:31 PM

#155

Chris Sunkin

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Joined: Oct 2003

Posts: 9,495

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottB

I have a 1000 gallon per minute pump on the GEICO/Mercury rescue boat, she wasn't going down

I remember another boat they said was "unsinkable"

There have been many incidents of a rescuing boat being pulled down by the boat it was attempting to rescue. I saw one myself- and then I dove down and attached barrels to it to bring it up. All it takes is for that corner of the transom to dip under...

All I'm saying is it can be trickier than it looks. And dangeous. If you're going to do it, expect the unexpected.

And I think you meant GPH.

06-26-2008 | 05:34 PM

#156

Strip Poker 388

Rob

Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 21,637

Likes: 12

From: Ms

Quote:

Originally Posted by 88Fount33

I'll say this one more time, for those of you that run out and cancel SEA TOW and then sign up with any other "Towing" service, YOU WILL BE SUBJECTED to the SAME MARITIME laws...

IT IS ONLY THE OPERATOR that comes to your BOAT that DECIDES if it is a SALVAGE or a TOW! IF he's an A'hole he will try to F' you. Doesn't matter what color boat or shirt he is wearing!!!!!

DON'T be FOOLED into thinking that XXX will F' you and YYY will not!!!!

The PROBLEM is the LAW, and until the LAW is changed, we are all at risk!

But Ive heard that Boat US helps ya mediate and is supposedly on the boat members side

__________________
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The Only Time You Have To Much Ammo Is When Your Swimming Or On Fire.

06-26-2008 | 06:18 PM

#157

Apathetic

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From: Chesapeake Bay

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strip Poker 388

But Ive heard that Boat US helps ya mediate and is supposedly on the boat members side

I don't know for sure about being on the boat OWNER's side, but I do remember that they offer mediating between owner and salvage claimer. It's on their site.