G
Guest
·There's another post in here today with a guy complaining about help during his running aground.
Here's the issue to discuss.....
If you stop and offer assistance to a disable boat and offer to either pull them off a grounding or tow them back to dock - are you assuming the liability for the boat and passengers and any potential damage or injury. Lets say you throw them a rope and try to pull them off a sand bar and the rope snaps; a cleat pulls loose and whips back and hits someone on the other boat. You're responsible? It also probably VOIDS your insurance policy!! Thats why there are licensed and insured tow companies.
A few years ago, we were bare boating in the British Virgin Island and a catamaram broke off its anchor and started drifting towards us. We were at anchor. When the cat got close enough, I was going to jump on board the other unattended boat to help fend it off us and get its anchor rode off ours. My friend on our boat, a master license captain and a lawyer, said never go on or be responsible for the other boat because if you do, you are assuming the responsibility for the boat and subsequently anything that happens to it. All you can do is protect your own interests (our boat).
I can see stopping and helping someone with a motor problem or untangling a rope around a prop but there should be a point where you have to protect yourself also. I'll be the first to stop and help a broken down motorist so don't take me as being slefish - just that especially on the water, you have a greater chance of injury(i think).
So, its my recommendation that the prudent thing to do when someone is broken down or aground is to stand by until the proper agency or tow company can arrive on the scene. Only get involved if its a matter of life and death.
Here's the issue to discuss.....
If you stop and offer assistance to a disable boat and offer to either pull them off a grounding or tow them back to dock - are you assuming the liability for the boat and passengers and any potential damage or injury. Lets say you throw them a rope and try to pull them off a sand bar and the rope snaps; a cleat pulls loose and whips back and hits someone on the other boat. You're responsible? It also probably VOIDS your insurance policy!! Thats why there are licensed and insured tow companies.
A few years ago, we were bare boating in the British Virgin Island and a catamaram broke off its anchor and started drifting towards us. We were at anchor. When the cat got close enough, I was going to jump on board the other unattended boat to help fend it off us and get its anchor rode off ours. My friend on our boat, a master license captain and a lawyer, said never go on or be responsible for the other boat because if you do, you are assuming the responsibility for the boat and subsequently anything that happens to it. All you can do is protect your own interests (our boat).
I can see stopping and helping someone with a motor problem or untangling a rope around a prop but there should be a point where you have to protect yourself also. I'll be the first to stop and help a broken down motorist so don't take me as being slefish - just that especially on the water, you have a greater chance of injury(i think).
So, its my recommendation that the prudent thing to do when someone is broken down or aground is to stand by until the proper agency or tow company can arrive on the scene. Only get involved if its a matter of life and death.