Sea Tow / Boat US question

Walshie,
Slow the roll pal. My buddy totally screwed up. We all get that. The post is what I EXPECTED to happen.

Rob
 
You asked for "Thoughts?"

A couple of years ago, I might have seen your point, "what's the big deal regarding a tow"...nowadays I err on the side of caution.

Last year, the yard moved my boat while I was not there after I practically begged them not to...they dropped it!
 
Rob,
I see two sides to this coin. Seatow has a formula,based on experience (as does all insurance companies) and rates are based on that. Exclusions are there to keep their numbers in line and not punish the whole for those that might abuse the service.
In theory, your thought to just raise the fee for all, will scare away people that never use the service. When that happens, volume is down and now we pay more for the same service as written now.

I do agree, they should offer a service such as "no matter what, you tow me", tack on the premium and roll with it. On another note, most boat insurance (all I ever had) include anywhere from 750.00 and up of tow insurance, so maybe that would have worked.

But the real lesson here would be, "my gauge shows 1'4 of a tank, so I am not out of fuel, tow me"! Second argument would be, I do not know how to bleed whatever, TOW ME !!!
 
Also,
In defense to Rob's friend. As mentioned, a year ago I left Greenport, to go to Montauk, 3rd season with the boat. I showed between a 1/4 of a tank to 1/2 of a tank. So at the minimum, according to my gauge, I had at least 168 gallons. With that said, as Dave noted, I ran out of fuel 100 yards from Star Island in Montauk. Yes, I learned my gauge is not linear. But in defense, do I really want to load up with 625 gallons of fuel to figure that out??? Weight with that fuel in my neck is not good. Now I know, I learned and it will never happen again. Point is, Rob says his friend screwed up, but I disagree, it was a learning experience, same as me. In 40 years of boating, I never ran out of fuel. In 40 years of boating, I called Seatow once, but freed myself prior to them getting there.
 
I had no problem with BoatUs towing my boat with one engine running. I lost an engine on the way back from Bimini last summer and radioed BoatUs about 30 miles offshore and informed them that I may need a tow if for some reason the other engine failed. They called me every 30 minutes to check on my progress. When I got in cell phone range then we mostly used the phone. I asked if they could tow me down New River as I didn't want to take a chance and smack someone's 5 million yacht. They said no problem and if I could dock safely at Lauderdale Marina they would have a tow boat meet me there as soon as one was available. They were there within 30 minutes and towed me to my dock at my house.
 
I just thought it was odd. Hell like everyone else we have different TIERS of coverage to fit everyones pocketbook.

I just figured they would cover anything stupid a boater could do...

Rob
 
Sorry to hi-jack the thread but since we have some seatow experience chiming in, thought I would run this situation by them.

Anchored out the other night, nav lights worked on the way out. On the way back when completely dark noticed port side Nav light is out while raising the anchor. Go change the bulb and lights are good. Head out on the way and the main breaker trips for all nav lights. Can't get the breaker to stay closed.

Now I have no navigation lights for about my 2 mile to home port. Was contemplating calling seatow to see if they would tow me home, figured that was a better option than heading out w/o nav lights. Would this have been covered?

In the end found out that something in the Port light was overloading the circuit. Tried a couple of bulbs in there but kept popping the break. Rigged up a flashlight with some duct tape over the red light cover to act as my nav light and left the socket empty. Still need to find out the problem. Just wonder if a tow would have been available as a member.
 
I can't imagine that situation would be covered by membership benefits since you had no propulsion loss, though you had reasonable concern. But you did well to jury rig for the return and I would suggest a VHF securite' hail on 16 and 13 to advise all stations of vessel name type & size, loss of proper running lights, position & and planned route could help in some cases and possibly limit liability... just in case. Low speed would be warranted. And of course you would make your presence clearly known to approaching traffic by any means necessary without blinding their night vision.

But perhaps the towers would respond at non-member rates if you truly felt the need?
 
I have used Seatow for navigation.
Was in thick fog.
Could not find or maintain running in a tight channel.
Called Seatow, they said stay put at the buoy we were at.
They came out of the fog and led us thru the correct path.

So I think naviagtion is covered. Pretty much everything is covered you can do dumb on the water but bottom line if not in danger and under some sort of power, they will let you be.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Sandy

I can't imagine that situation would be covered by membership benefits since you had no propulsion loss, though you had reasonable concern. But you did well to jury rig for the return and I would suggest a VHF securite' hail on 16 and 13 to advise all stations of vessel name type & size, loss of proper running lights, position & and planned route could help in some cases and possibly limit liability... just in case. Low speed would be warranted. And of course you would make your presence clearly known to approaching traffic by any means necessary without blinding their night vision.

But perhaps the towers would respond at non-member rates if you truly felt the need?

Click to expand...


I can't speak for all areas, but in the area I worked, being dark in the channel does indeed constitute peril and we would have responded. Would not put you under tow but would have escorted you to your home dock.

Bob
 
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