Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

MNEAL, I too have read this thread and agree with what you have wrote. Case in Point: Mr. Sea Tow, that race inwhich your independent operator performed at, was on a PRIVATE sanctioned race. NOT Mr. John Q. Public boater. How dare you use a maritime law to exploit your services. Shame on your race promoter and sanctioning group to allow this to happen. It is their race. Just start conducting YOUR race like NASCAR does. EVERYTHING is the NASCAR way, or your history!!!!! NASCAR controls the tow truck company too. Yes the track may hire them, but under NASCAR rules and regulations and NASCAR's watchful eye.

Can you just imagine Johnny's Wrecker Service picking up Dale Jr's car off of the track and taking it to the garage area, then claiming that DEI owed them something like $20K. You can bet ole Johnny wouldn't have to worry about Mike Helton kicking his ass, because Mr. Helton would have all of the rules CLEARLY spelled out BEFORE Johnny ever got close to the race track.

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

Why?
"PS when the boat was rolled over in the NJ race they wouldn't let us tow in in ourselves"

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

This is where I would say my hat is off to Smitty of OPA.

Prior to the Ortley Race in our discussions, he mentioned he had BOAT US coming out for the event. Afterall, it was quite a haul to the race course.

He told me he included in everyone's registration for the race a membership with Boat US where I guess it was the $50 per incident package.

That was truely thinking ahead on his part! Had anyone needed to be towed, he had it covered in the registration for the race!

It certainly keeps from hearing stories like this thread! :rolleyes:

And Boat US walks away with 20+ new members not counting the memberships they may have sold in the Pits!

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

mcrsr,

You made this comment before (see below) which is very disturbing to me. Sea Tow has never ever done anything such as you claim. In fact we have a formal partnering agreement with the USCG. Please let me know where you got your information and to what you are referring to. Everyone should check there facts prior to posting!!!

"the coast guard used to tow people in trouble until the likes of sea tow sued them to get more business, to give you an idea of their businness practices!!!"


To Everyone,

Apparently everyone sees the value of having some sort of organized, trained recovery for each racing event. The NASCAR system has come up several times. Offshore racing will never be as big as NASCAR and the costs associated with a recovery team would probably only be passed onto the racers. So, it almost seems like everyone is stuck in limbo. It is something the racers want, but don't want to pay for, it is something the promoters want but don't want to pay for, so what do you do. Maybe each individual race team should think about approaching a Marine Towing and Salvage company in each venue to have a prior agreement in the event of the unthinkable. Remember the the three rule to a salvage
1. peril
2 voluntary (no pre-existing relationship)
3. Success

By having a prior agreement for salvage services you break the triangle, then there can be no salvage. If a race boat can not get insurance, this is probably the second best thing. Racers spend some much time and money on boats, equipment, testing, traveling, etc. Why leave this to chance???

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

Sharky,

At the race we have been talking about in CA, the local Sea Tow offered free towing services to all the racers, no charge. From your post I gather That Smitty got the $14.95 package that gives you $50.00 worth of towing. With rates ranging from $150.00 to $300.00 per hour that covers nothing and especially not salvage. Also,remember on water towing companies charge from the time you they leave the dock to the time they get back.

What Smitty did was a step in the right direction but $50.00 does not go to far on the water.

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

Maybe I was under the wrong impression or he worked out some other deal, but I thought he was laying out the $50 up front for every race boat whether they needed the service or not. Basically covering the boats if they needed to be towed in...

But like ya said, certainly a step in the right direction.. :drink:

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

The $1,200 I pay in insurance covers my $30k truck and 1mil in liabilty. :cool:

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

Question for Exshipdude:


1. Peril
2 voluntary (no pre-existing relationship)
3. Success

"By having a prior agreement for salvage services you break the triangle, then there can be no salvage."
Quoted by Exshipdude

My question: does a pre-existing, pre-arranged agreement exist by virtue of a “Sea Tow” membership, towing contract??? If I or any one buys a pre-arranged “membership” doesn’t that negate the Salvage aspect of the tow, and limit the bill to “towing only”???

Philip

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

In June of 2000 I was 100 miles off Port Canaveral on my 60 Buddy Davis when a shaft Log box broke,I radioed the CG for help. The CG had a cutter about 50 miles from me and a chopper out of Jacksonville on route.Now guess who radioed and said they could help?SEA TOW! When i told Sea Tow i was a 60 ftr they said they could get another 2 boats.The CG beat them and the CG towed me in No Charge.Now if my brother Robert and I ran our towing company by ease dropping on the Police -Sheriff-Florida Highway Patrol we wouldnt be in buisness,by the way our tow rates are governed by the city ,county and state.

Re: Sea Tow "SUCKS" (again)
 

You got a 60ft Buddy Davis? Lets go fishin :evilb: