Originally Posted by Wazzup Racing

We made a deal with Tow Boat at our Ortley Beach Race where we gave them a venders spot in the pits to sell insurance. In return if our racers signed up for 100 dollars. The salvage fees were washed. Our race was 7 miles from any inlet, so it was important to us that our teams had an affordable way to get back. Smitty

Originally Posted by kitten

The $100 buys unlimited towing only.

Great deal Smitty!

Originally Posted by exshipdude

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???

Originally Posted by exshipdude (Post 1461316)

Hello all,

My name is Joe, I am VP Operations for Sea Tow Services International. I am deeply concerned when ever I see anything like this because it usually means it is about to get out of hand for no apparent reason. If anyone would ever like to speak to me, please PM me or call me at 631-765-3660 ext. 3134.
Concerning the race in Huntington Beach our local franchisee volunteered to be a sponsor of the race. They were to carry an EMT and a diver and they offered free towing to any of the race boats that became disabled during the race due to mechanical failures, not flipping, sinking, collisions, etc. This was announced at the driver's meeting and all the racers seem to understand.
At some point during the race Hidden Agenda flipped over, trapping one of the racers underwater, the Sea Tow vessel responded, the diver went in and brought the trapped racer to the surface. The person was bought onto the Sea Tow boat and had no pulse and was not breathing. CPR was started while the the boat proceeded into the waiting ambulance. Luckily due to everyone's effort's he had a pulse when they arrived at the dock and is now doing OK.
Both racers were taken to the hospital while the boat was drifting upside down toward the beach. Sea Tow proceeded to get a line on the boat and pull it away from the beach. They then rolled the vessel right side up and towed it to the crane where they lifted the vessel so just high enough to begin dewatering to make it light enough for the crane to lift.
So, why is it salvage??

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

1. Peril
2. No preexisting agreement to do salvage, i.e. the salvor must act voluntarily
3. Success

There was certain Peril, the vessel was upside down heading towards a beach. I do not know the sea state, or if the beach was rocky. The actions of Sea Tow prevented further damage to the vessel and the environment.

Sea Tow's services for the race did not include salvage services as discussed at the driver's meeting, and they did voluntarily head back out to retrieve the vessel.

Yes, they were successful.

Many people think that salvage rates are too high, they are being taken advantage of, and salvors drive up insurance rates, etc. They also think the laws are out of date. The salvage laws exist to reward salvors for maintaining a the equipment necessary to preform the work they do. This includes boats, pumps, airbags, air compressors, trained personnel...... this list could go on and on. As my Father has said for many years each and every Sea Tow Franchisee is maintaining a "Fire House" on the water, available 24/7/365. The fact is, salvors, work to keep damage to a minimum to prevent insurance companies form paying more. A salvor never, sinks the boat, they raise it. A salvor never drives the boats onto the rocks, they remove it. Insurance rates go up because accidents happen, not because of the Salvor.

The best way to deal with a salvage situation is to be educated. That is why both companies, Sea Tow and Boat US/Vessel Assist place sections on the website that speak about it. Also, ask questions!! If you do get into a situation and time allows, call your insurance company, they will know what to do and they will work with the salvor to save your property.

I hope this helps, and once again if anyone has any questions please do not hesitate to contact me.

Joe