My wife was helping a 42' boat leave the dock and got her finger caught between the line and dock cleat off the bow as the boat was backing down, causing a significant injury to her finger. The Skipper of the vessel was clearly aware of it. The Skipper had asked my wife for assistance and the line was attached to the boat, looped down through the cleat and back to the boat leaving his crew in control of it. The crew tried to clear the line by flipping it off but it wasn't working so my wife reached down to clear the line (her mistake #1.) The Skipper apparently started to back down before the line was clear (mistake #2) causing the line to tighten as his crew had not released the line (mistake # 3.)
Another helper got the line clear and the Skipper continued on his way. Since an injury had occurred that he was aware of, what was his responsibility? Was he obligated to return to the dock?
Thanks.
Harlen
Another helper got the line clear and the Skipper continued on his way. Since an injury had occurred that he was aware of, what was his responsibility? Was he obligated to return to the dock?
Thanks.
Harlen