TaMiki Tiki Bar
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Has anyone ever had to pay to have their boat recovered from a sinkage? If so, what is the standard charges or costs associated?
Thanks,
Tami
Thanks,
Tami
Sunken Boat Recovery
- Thread starter TaMiki Tiki Bar
- Start date
If the boat sunk at the dock I can give you some pointers about doing it yourself. You would be surprised what you can lift using 2 4x6's on a fulcrum. I had one go down some years ago, and have helped some neighbors over the years.
If you have towing insurance, see if you have any coverage for a sinking. Obviously your standard insurance as well, if you carry any.
If you have towing insurance, see if you have any coverage for a sinking. Obviously your standard insurance as well, if you carry any.
The outboard powered towing companies like to charge $100.00 to $125.00 per foot (LOA). Make sure the contract is "No Cure, No Pay" and get a written salvage plan from the contractor before any contract is signed. Do not accept a plan that will cause further damage to the vessel. A professional salvage company, earning the above quoted rates should be able to effect salvage without causing anymore damage to the vessel. Also insist that the quoted salvage cost include, pickling of all machinery (main engines, gears, generators) fuel removal, towage to a repair yard and the salvaged vessel able to remain afloat and upright without constant pumping.
TaMiki Tiki Bar
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Our boat sunk at our dock (and was actually being held partially above water by ropes and cleats). We called a recovery service to bring the boat out of the water. (If we had known then, what he know now, we would have done it ourselves!) It took the company 6 or 7 hours the first day and 3 hours the following day to float our boat, and 2 divers at $200.00 per hour, which we believe was unnecessary. Our recovery bill was $7,800.00. We were under-insured and the insurance company will only pay a very small portion (fine print of the policy). Since the company knows our insurance company will not be paying the bill, they have reduced the bill to a mere $6,500.00 or so. We will pay that amount if it is what is customary, but I am not sure it is. Just wanting others thoughts on the matter.
Thanks,
Tami
Thanks,
Tami
This my friends is why being it the salvage business s**ks. Customer calls you, you show up, do the work, get the boat floating and THEN the customer trys to renege on paying the salvage bill. After you show them how to do the job, they suddely become experts and "could have done the job ourselves" and want to skip on the payment. If the professional did the job, pay the fee, don't be a Chump.
TaMiki Tiki Bar
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We are not sure what sunk the boat. The Carver dealer believes it was a boot or seal that deteriorated. Once they start the repair work, we will know for certain.
I received a phone call while at work from a friend who keeps his boat at our dock, that our boat was sunk. I work approximately 30 minutes from home, as does my husband. I sort of "freaked out," called the insurance company, who told me to get the boat out of the water ASAP, and then called the recovery company. Once my husband and I got home, we realized that we might have been able to do this ourselves. The recovery company did not bring a pump, we had to furnish that ourselves. They did eventually get a larger pump the next day. I still am not sure why they needed 2 divers, since the boat was still secured to the dock.
I would never try to "cheat" someone out of their entitlement to a fair wage, I am just wanting some input from others as to whether this is a fair and reasonable amount to pay. If it is, we will pay it.
I received a phone call while at work from a friend who keeps his boat at our dock, that our boat was sunk. I work approximately 30 minutes from home, as does my husband. I sort of "freaked out," called the insurance company, who told me to get the boat out of the water ASAP, and then called the recovery company. Once my husband and I got home, we realized that we might have been able to do this ourselves. The recovery company did not bring a pump, we had to furnish that ourselves. They did eventually get a larger pump the next day. I still am not sure why they needed 2 divers, since the boat was still secured to the dock.
I would never try to "cheat" someone out of their entitlement to a fair wage, I am just wanting some input from others as to whether this is a fair and reasonable amount to pay. If it is, we will pay it.
Based on your profile you have a 27 foot boat. Your paying almost 300 bucks a foot. I see the recovery companies up here by us, and they all have gas pumps sitting on the docks waiting for the boat to crack the surface. It seems odd that they did not have pumps.
SeaTowTampaBay
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Good morning all,
I am new to the forum but certainly not new to the marine towing and salvage industry having been in it for 18 years now. While I try to educate instead of just commenting or criticizing any other companies work I will offer this. Any company in this industry that shows up to salvage a sunken boat and didn’t bring a pump with them is a fly by night operation unless they have a REAL good reason like working on two many salvages at once (which I find hard to believe).
The reason for two divers is because it is required by both Coast Guard and OSHA regulations. It is before the policy writers right now to see if we can update it along with many other regulations that lump our industry with the hardhat commercial divers and the big tug and towboat industry. This all adds up to a monstrous amount of costs and demands that are placed on us which of course is passed on to the customers.
Now about your specific job. Again it is not my place to say whether you got a bad deal or not however I am curious if you were quoted a rate prior to work commencing and did you have your insurance company involved in the decision making?
Personally, I don’t ever quote a per foot charge because one price doesn’t fit all situations. How can a 21’ boat upside down in its slip be the same cost as a 21’ boat hanging from its dock lines with the transom submerged? I think every job has its challenges and some of those challenges require much more effort than others.
My charges also do not ever include the cost of pickling, fuel removal or any other services other than recovering the vessel and taking it to a haul out facility, whether it be a ramp or travelift. If the customer or insurance company requests those services than I can certainly arrange them and see them through but most times they do not want the salvage company handling it.
As for no further damage or the need to pump it to keep it afloat well all I can say is that I don’t have a crystal ball in my salvage gear. I have earned a valued reputation as being professional and delivering quality work but I can also say that I have had a couple of black eyes.
If you signed a contract agreeing to that price then you don’t have much recourse even if you feel that they have gouged you. The biggest reason lawyers are driving around high end cars, wearing grossly expensive suits and relaxing on yachts on the weekend are because too many consumers agree to something then change their mind.
Good luck.
I am new to the forum but certainly not new to the marine towing and salvage industry having been in it for 18 years now. While I try to educate instead of just commenting or criticizing any other companies work I will offer this. Any company in this industry that shows up to salvage a sunken boat and didn’t bring a pump with them is a fly by night operation unless they have a REAL good reason like working on two many salvages at once (which I find hard to believe).
The reason for two divers is because it is required by both Coast Guard and OSHA regulations. It is before the policy writers right now to see if we can update it along with many other regulations that lump our industry with the hardhat commercial divers and the big tug and towboat industry. This all adds up to a monstrous amount of costs and demands that are placed on us which of course is passed on to the customers.
Now about your specific job. Again it is not my place to say whether you got a bad deal or not however I am curious if you were quoted a rate prior to work commencing and did you have your insurance company involved in the decision making?
Personally, I don’t ever quote a per foot charge because one price doesn’t fit all situations. How can a 21’ boat upside down in its slip be the same cost as a 21’ boat hanging from its dock lines with the transom submerged? I think every job has its challenges and some of those challenges require much more effort than others.
My charges also do not ever include the cost of pickling, fuel removal or any other services other than recovering the vessel and taking it to a haul out facility, whether it be a ramp or travelift. If the customer or insurance company requests those services than I can certainly arrange them and see them through but most times they do not want the salvage company handling it.
As for no further damage or the need to pump it to keep it afloat well all I can say is that I don’t have a crystal ball in my salvage gear. I have earned a valued reputation as being professional and delivering quality work but I can also say that I have had a couple of black eyes.
If you signed a contract agreeing to that price then you don’t have much recourse even if you feel that they have gouged you. The biggest reason lawyers are driving around high end cars, wearing grossly expensive suits and relaxing on yachts on the weekend are because too many consumers agree to something then change their mind.
Good luck.
Bear in mind that folks like the above poster get paid for what they KNOW, not necessarily what they DO!! You hire someone to do the job, he does it and gets paid. IF you had known how to do the job you could have saved some $$$$; but you DIDN'T, which is probably why you had to call someone who DID in the first place.
Second... If you'd done YOUR job the barge wouldn't have sunk at all. Hate to be blunt but that's the way it is. Pay the man.
Second... If you'd done YOUR job the barge wouldn't have sunk at all. Hate to be blunt but that's the way it is. Pay the man.
FYI, under maritime law, if a salvor brings you a pump and offers it to you, the moment you accept that offer they have a right to claim 1/3 of the value of your boat. this claim applies even if you dont actually pump water with it. I don't know if these rights apply to a boat that is moored to a dock, but they do if you are on the boat at sea.
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Would they not have to inform you of this up front? Otherwise, it would seem that they are baiting you.
Paul
Maintaining a boat that size on an Air Dock would have prevented the sinking and cost less. I know; I had my boot leak, but no water came into the boat until I was there, let the air dock down and heard the bilge pump cycle on. That one incident paid for the entire cost of my Air Dock as well as avoiding having a boat which would have needed much more work done then just changing the boot.
If I remember right and without going back and looking it up it seems to me that this Boat sank a few weeks ago? Has it been under water all this time?
And it YOU remember right I*'m pretty sure I suggested to you that you get all the details and look over VERY CAREFULLY your Insurance Policy.
A $7800.00 recovery bill left you UNDERinsured? What kind of a non-insurance Policy do you have? Did the company explain to you how they based their payment so as to NOT cover the cost minus a deductible? Just how much of that were they willing to pay? Are they saying that the boat isn't worth $7800.00? If so.....let them declare it a total loss and let them worry about it because if you can get them to do that I'm pretty sure that it's then THEIR responsibility to pay the bill....take the boat...and pay you the value wether it be a pre-agreed to figure or current value.
Personally...I wouldn't want anything to do with a Boat that's been sunk and you'll probably be sorry if you keep it. Did you get an estimate for the repairs? I'd be curious to know what THAT is. I'm sure you're aware that it's now only a matter of time before all the electrical issues start showing...(and you WILL have them ) just a matter of when.
As a side note....If I were you I'd start shopping for a better Insurance Policy.
And it YOU remember right I*'m pretty sure I suggested to you that you get all the details and look over VERY CAREFULLY your Insurance Policy.
A $7800.00 recovery bill left you UNDERinsured? What kind of a non-insurance Policy do you have? Did the company explain to you how they based their payment so as to NOT cover the cost minus a deductible? Just how much of that were they willing to pay? Are they saying that the boat isn't worth $7800.00? If so.....let them declare it a total loss and let them worry about it because if you can get them to do that I'm pretty sure that it's then THEIR responsibility to pay the bill....take the boat...and pay you the value wether it be a pre-agreed to figure or current value.
Personally...I wouldn't want anything to do with a Boat that's been sunk and you'll probably be sorry if you keep it. Did you get an estimate for the repairs? I'd be curious to know what THAT is. I'm sure you're aware that it's now only a matter of time before all the electrical issues start showing...(and you WILL have them ) just a matter of when.
As a side note....If I were you I'd start shopping for a better Insurance Policy.
I'm no expert on refloating a boat but I have been on several salvage jobs assisting. I can tell you just from the equipment and safety point of view, I doubt that an inexperienced husband and wife team can safely refloat a vessel.
The two divers are in the water wearing wet suits, gloves and booties to protect themselves from the oil, fuel and other hazardous chemicals that is floating in the water not to mention what you might step or slip on. I don't think Marge is going in wearing her swim suit and shower cap to attach come-a-longs to the hull.
So, Marge managed to deploy the oil containment boom, attach the come-a-longs to the hull, fire up the gas powered trash pump and seal the water point of entry that sank the boat to begin with. Now Fred and Marge start ratcheting the come come-a-longs. After raising the stern a few inches Fred hears the cables moaning and the cleat its attached to begin to pull out. Fred keeps ratcheting and BAM, here comes the cleat flying towards Fred's head!
Luckily Fred ducks and avoids a serious head injury. But now the boat (which is unstable) begins to roll and capsizes. No problem. Your neighbor Hank offers to jump into the oily, fuel covered water and attach a tow line to the bow. Now, Fred, Marge and Hank begin to tow the half sunken upside down boat and oil containment boom to the local travel lift so the boat could be hauled.
Oh, by the way, you have 24 hours to refloat your vessel so you don't have to face the $10,000.00 per day fine for polluting the water way.
Sorry, but boat salvage is not a mom and pop activity!
The two divers are in the water wearing wet suits, gloves and booties to protect themselves from the oil, fuel and other hazardous chemicals that is floating in the water not to mention what you might step or slip on. I don't think Marge is going in wearing her swim suit and shower cap to attach come-a-longs to the hull.
So, Marge managed to deploy the oil containment boom, attach the come-a-longs to the hull, fire up the gas powered trash pump and seal the water point of entry that sank the boat to begin with. Now Fred and Marge start ratcheting the come come-a-longs. After raising the stern a few inches Fred hears the cables moaning and the cleat its attached to begin to pull out. Fred keeps ratcheting and BAM, here comes the cleat flying towards Fred's head!
Luckily Fred ducks and avoids a serious head injury. But now the boat (which is unstable) begins to roll and capsizes. No problem. Your neighbor Hank offers to jump into the oily, fuel covered water and attach a tow line to the bow. Now, Fred, Marge and Hank begin to tow the half sunken upside down boat and oil containment boom to the local travel lift so the boat could be hauled.
Oh, by the way, you have 24 hours to refloat your vessel so you don't have to face the $10,000.00 per day fine for polluting the water way.
Sorry, but boat salvage is not a mom and pop activity!
All this person asked was what it should cost to float her boat. They also stated that they had no problem paying the bill, if the price was deemed fair. I chimed in at the beginning that they should check their policies and if needed would offer advice.
In my opinion $7800 to float a boat is obscene. I have floated my sunken boat and have helped many neighbors. It is dirty work, but its not rocket science. If marge knew it would cost 7800 bucks, i dont think she would mind swimming in oil. We have a dock builder in the area that also runs a boat for Towboat US. If your boat sinks at the dock he charges roughly 600 to float it. Its your responsibility to go in the water to attach any ropes. I am awake very early, so he has called me in the past to give him a hand. He only has 2 other people on the barge. He is my teacher when it comes to this stuff. He will not kick someone when they are down.
To me this is a classic do it your self project. On one hand you are faced with a 7800 bill. On the other your bill is only about 200 in materials. If you can not float the boat yourself, you only lost an additional 200. if you can float it, you saved 7600.
I am also stubborn. I would have gotten prices upfront. If I thought the price was crazy, i would have told the captain to motor on. that being said....7800 to float a 27 footer is crazy. (assuming no other work was done)
In my opinion $7800 to float a boat is obscene. I have floated my sunken boat and have helped many neighbors. It is dirty work, but its not rocket science. If marge knew it would cost 7800 bucks, i dont think she would mind swimming in oil. We have a dock builder in the area that also runs a boat for Towboat US. If your boat sinks at the dock he charges roughly 600 to float it. Its your responsibility to go in the water to attach any ropes. I am awake very early, so he has called me in the past to give him a hand. He only has 2 other people on the barge. He is my teacher when it comes to this stuff. He will not kick someone when they are down.
To me this is a classic do it your self project. On one hand you are faced with a 7800 bill. On the other your bill is only about 200 in materials. If you can not float the boat yourself, you only lost an additional 200. if you can float it, you saved 7600.
I am also stubborn. I would have gotten prices upfront. If I thought the price was crazy, i would have told the captain to motor on. that being said....7800 to float a 27 footer is crazy. (assuming no other work was done)
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Cit? I do not believe that blanket statement to be true.