So I came into the ramp dock perfectly, and my deck crew (daughters)leaped into action, securing the dock lines quickly, then adding a nice flemish. We had come back to the ramp to drop off guests and get some gear out of my truck. Before I walked away from the boat, I looked back to check the lines. I was tied back about 10 feet from the end of the dock. When I turned, I noticed a small runabout heading for the end of the dock at ramming speed, with a man on the bow. As the boat neared the dock, the man jumped into the water, line in hand. I'm thinking, "Oh, boy, this is a stupid one, I better stay for this." Suddenly, the runabout with wife and kids on board lurches toward the dock, spilling one child from the back into the water. The boat slams the end of the dock, drags to the corner, then begins to come around the corner toward my boat. Now, I leap into action and run toward the boat to fend it off. I have no clue why it is lurching about, I thought maybe someone on board had bumped the throttle. By now, the man had climbed onto the dock, and he rushed across with me to fend his boat off mine. Fortunately, it hit a glancing blow on my bow, and thank heavens he had a good rub rail. It was now that I notice a purple ski-tow line attached to his bow-eye and running to another boat about 20 feet off the dock. The driver was just sitting there with a dumb-assed look on his face. He says across to us, "I thought you were unhooked", as I gave him a smoldering "you are a complete idiot" look. The family secured their boat, apologizing profusely, as they disconnected the tow line. Idiot tow-boat driver gathers his ski line and departs quickly, I guess before I can ask him for his insurance - or maybe pummel him for stupidity.
I inspected my bow and found it was a minor hit, everybody made it to the dock safely, and the kid was only slightly injured - scraped his back.
PLEASE - people. If you don't know how to tow, DON'T do it! It's all well and good to be a good samaritan, but if you kill or injure someone, or damage property in the process, you will be responsible for that damage or injury.
I inspected my bow and found it was a minor hit, everybody made it to the dock safely, and the kid was only slightly injured - scraped his back.
PLEASE - people. If you don't know how to tow, DON'T do it! It's all well and good to be a good samaritan, but if you kill or injure someone, or damage property in the process, you will be responsible for that damage or injury.