I don't have, nor need it where I boat 99.999% of the time. But 2 yrs ago decided to go to Put-In-Bay for 1st time and last, (place is over rated in my opinion). Hit a reef and tore lower unit off. Tow Boat charge started out at $1800 for the 2 mile tow back. All kinds of pidly charges they come with to add to the bill. Not taking on water or nothing, just needed a tow and seems boaters on Erie avoid others needing help. Probably do to the time and distance involved to help out. Got the tow down to $1200. Luckly TowBoat wrote up as a salvage operation, so my Ins paid the full bill. Tow Boat said if I was a member, would have been only a $100 charge.

Is Sea Tow Nation Wide?

Do they all try to claim salvage if they can or can you get a rider for that?

i say just don't break down

Last year Sea Tow pulled a friend of mine off a sandbar and 100yds to the ramp. $1100. In thier defense though, it took at least 45 minutes! CROOKS!

Now THAT is brilliant!

Perhaps you can give us next week's Lotto numbers, too?

D. Ocean
Pompano Beach, FLA

Here's some stuff I found on the web:

WHAT IS SALVAGE?
The admiralty law of the United States has long recognized that the law of salvage rewards the voluntary salvor for the successful rescue of life or property imperiled at sea. In order to have a valid claim for having rendered salvage services, the salvor must show that the property saved was imperiled, that his services were voluntarily rendered, and that he was successful in whole or in part to the saving of the property.

WHAT RIGHTS DOES THE SALVOR HAVE WHO SAVES A VESSEL?
A salvor who has earned the right to a salvage award for the successful voluntary salvage to a vessel in peril has a preferred maritime lien on the vessel. However, a salvor must surrender possession of the vessel to the owner on demand if the owner posts reasonable security for the claim. If the owner declines to post sufficient security to pay salvage charges, the salvor must turn the vessel over to the U. S. Marshall and proceed to foreclose the maritime lien.

WHAT WOULD A SALVAGE AWARD BE BASED UPON?
There are several factors that would be considered by a court in establishing the amount of the salvor’s award. Some of these include the difficulty of the operation, the risk involved to the salvor, the value of the property saved, and the degree of danger to which the property was exposed. It would be a rare case in which the salvage award would be greater than 50 percent of the value of the vessel. More commonly, salvage awards amount to 10 percent to 25 percent of the value of the vessel and property salvaged.

WHAT OBLIGATIONS DOES THE SALVOR HAVE TO THE OWNER?
It is improper for the salvor to deny the owner or the owner’s agents access to the vessel or property to inspect it or preserve it.

D. Ocean
Pompano Beach, FLA

We have Sea Tow and the way I understand it is that each boat is an operating franchise so the owner can say or charge whatever they want...I talked to the Sea Tow operator about 10pm on the Kemah Boardwalk after he came in for the day. He was parked next to me cleaning up so of course I had to BS with him a bit

Even 10% can add up to an astronomical amount of money. Do you know if the tow programs have additional riders for such and occurance or do they purposely leave that out so they can hit the "jackpot"

That said, I am not saying they do not deserve fair payment for Dangerous services rendered.

What if your surgeon said I will solve your problem for 10-50% of all your future earnings? Fair? Possibly, but society would crucify them.

Kinda reeks of the class action suit mentality where the attorney makes millions and the little guy gets squat.