I wasn’t going to say anything, but…11/25 broke down between the Ravenal bridge and Remley’s point. It happens. What I didn’t think would happen is the 1/2 dozen boats that passed me (motor cowl off, waving, pointing at the motor) and never stopped to ask if I was okay. If I am not mistaking it is the law to stop to see if the party is okay. No one has to offer a tow…the 300 yards to the landing!!!..but they have to check on you. One boat even went by me, fished the grass behind me, then came back around me as I waved and pointed to the motor (cowl off) looked over at me, said something to each other, then took off. I personally would stop for anyone I thought was in a bind, but that’s just me I guess, literally. Finally called Sea Tow. They were tied up, so had to wait about 2 1/2 hrs., but they showed and got me in. At least there is someone out there you can count on! They said I was so close to the landing they would not have charged me if I wasn’t a member. Took about 5 mins to get me there. Seems such a shame you can’t feel like you can count on your fellow man to help you out especially on the water. Glad they invented cell phones, flares, and radios, or I guess I would still be out there.
I don’t know if it is a law on making sure someone is ok, but it is also a law that a boat is not suppose to go over idle speed within 50 feet of an anchored vessel, but law enforcement doesn’t do anything about that either. There are just rude and uncurtious people out there that don’t care about anyone but themselves, but would be raising cain if it was them.
I am sorry that happened to you. This past Summer, my wife and kids and I were heading back to Remley from the harbor when we saw a boat adrift (cowl off) just before the bridge. We stopped and sure enough they were without power. He wanted a tow to a landing a good ways away and with my little 17’ 70 hp boat, I was not comfortable going that far so, I ended up towing him to the city marina. I was a bit nervous as the wind was kicking up and it was pretty choppy. I was worried my transom was going to crack but, we ended up getting there. The fellow told me that at least 6 boats passed him before I stopped.
I guess my point is, don’t judge the entire community down there on the folks that passed you by. I find there are quite a few inconsiderate, uninformed boaters but, not everyone is like that. I have a TowboatUS membership because I believe in being self-reliant and I don’t want to have to rely on strangers.
Not positive but I think the law says you have to help someone who’s in danger not someone having engine trouble.
It’s sad people don’t help others anymore but what goes around comes around, karma’s a female dog! Having been towed by a total stranger almost an hour down the wando one day I would not hesitate to give someone a tow. Guy even offered me a beer!
I pulled a broken down boat off a sandbar with a jetski then towed him to shem creek. I didn’t ask for money but he paid me and as I passed the Tow Boat dock a guy asked how much I got, I smiled and said 50 bucks for a 400 yard tow.
Bubbbie is correct. You must render assistance if persons in the other boat are are in danger and helping them does not put you in danger.
So no, all the folks that had passed you were not obligated to help. Should they have at least stopped to check that you were all right? I would say yes…many time people have small children on board and especialling in the summer with the heat it can turn bad quick. I tow at least a couple boats every year back the ramp or to a safe area if we are more than 15 mins from ramp.
One thing to be away of when towing another boat is liability. If something goes wrong you could be on the bad side of a lawsuit. With that said when under tow I am in charge and stay in constant communication of what I am going to do. If they can’t follow commands or insist on doing things that will get them hurt I will leave. Persons consuming too much alcohol get no help from me other than what is required.
One thing about trouble on the water…what goes around comes around. Been towed in enough to know. If they ignored you they will be repaid in like manner!
I had the same experience in the harbor. My engine was acting up, bad fuel or loose wire - I was sitting next to the channel where it splits off to enter shem creek or sullivans/ICW. 30+ boats passed me, most within 50 yards - not one of them looked, not one of them slowed down, not one of them waived… Cowl was off, traffic was heavy, I was leaned over the back of the motor looking for loose wires/inline filters.
I’ve been on both ends of that tow line:smiley: Usually on the front end, but not always. Don’t judge a fishing community by the first boats that pass you by I will always stop if you wave me down.
There is no law that obligates anyone to stop and give assistance, other than the unwritten law of the sea, no more than there is a law that requires you to stop when a vehicle is broke down on the side of the road. That doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t, but you have no legal obligations. That being said, I stop for anyone who waves me down and I do what I can.
Let’s keep things in perspective though,(as the devil’s advocate) you were not in any danger, there was no risk to life, you were just inconvenienced. So why should you really expect someone else to inconvenience their self and mess up their day of fishing to tow you home? I might tell you to throw out an anchor and fish, and I’ll pick you up on the way back in. I don’t want to miss my tide either. If you are stuck in the mud on a falling tide, I can’t help you much anyway, and I’ll check back on my way home. If you are low on water I’ll give you some. If your engine is broke, just anchor and fish, I’ll come back and get you when I’m on the way in. That ain’t no emergency, it’s just broke:smiley:
quote:
You must render assistance if persons in the other boat are are in danger and helping them does not put you in danger.
How is a boat that is in a river 300 yards from a ramp “in danger” of anything, except missing the football game kickoff? It’s not sinking. Nobody is dying of thirst or starvation, they are just inconvenienced for a few hours.
quote:I pulled a broken down boat off a sandbar with a jetski then towed him to shem creek. I did
Bad luck on the wron g day. As Cap Larry says, been on both sides, front thankfully more than the back, but didn’t take long to get help.
Try looking pathetic. Worked for me!
Don’t mean to spend your money, but Seatow or Boat US (I use) is the best money I spend every year, whether I need them or not. Peace of mind is a beautiful thing.
I thought it was a waste of money - until I needed them.
Not saying that you did the wrong thing but next time you might try waving a lifejacket or your shirt to flag some help over. I fished/boated out of Cabo San Lucas in the 80’s long before seatow type stuff. Waving a shirt gets attention. I towed 2 or 3 boats in from many miles out at sea down in mexico back in the day
If you need help, make sure a passing boat gets the message
I have been lucky enough to have been towed back to the landing in the South Edisto River 3 different times in the last 20 years. Thanks to those guys who went out of their way. I offered to pay them, and their response was just make sure I returned the favor if I ever saw them needing help. I have always had an eye out for people with the top off the motor since the first time I was in “a bad way” and helped when I could. We all have to look out for each other!
Yep. I’ve towed 3 and been towed once thanks to the kindness of one of our fishing club members. I do have TowBoat also.
If I saw ya I would have towed ya.
I tow all the time.Stuff happens and I can always fish again.I have a 7 foot oar on board strapped under my T top.I have had to use it 3 times to get off places i ran out of water with.Kick up the engine and push my way to deeper water.Carry an oar works great.
It is not my intention to claim all boaters are inconsiderate. I have had a boater tow me to the landing that was running on fumes. He even said we both might have to get towed before we get back. One point I would like to make is just how would you know if a boat was sinking or maybe there is a medical emergency onboard if you don’t at least stop and ask? A motor diasabled with the cowling off may be only part of the problem. I certainly would not blame someone for not wanting to tow the boat if motor troubles is the only issue. There are too many people out there just itching for a law suit. I was just disappointed no one stopped to even ask. Also when when you pass a boat within 100 yards and you see a cowling off, no fishing lines out, and the people onboard are standing there looking at you…they shouldn’t have to wave a lifejacket to get your attention. Of course there are some that are oblivious to their surroundings and hit bouys and stuff. Maybe that’s who was passing me that day.
I’ll throw this out there and take what ■■■■■ comes. I say we have a large Northern influence on our waters that used to not be there. I’m not knocking all Northerners because I’ve got some family up that way. But by far you will get more help from a true Southern gentleman/woman than a Yankee. There I said it.
Just take the hand waving thing ( it’s fading for sure but still there) ride our country roads and wave (casual not stupidly) and see how many people involuntarily wave back. Go up North and do the same thing. Been there done that.
You can also tell the Northern influence in our young children. Growing up every kid said Yes Sir/Mam because it is respect. That too is fading.
Bwulmer don’t be disappointed, just plan for a breakdown every time you go on the water. My personal strategy (even a new boat will break) is to always have a friend with a boat on stand-by.
Well, I take offense at the crack about Yankees.
I have towed folks in distress many times during the twelve years I have lived here.
On many of those occasions I watched boats more capable than mine showing Southern home ports on their transoms pass by without a glance.
Try not to write in generalities or play the Yankee card too much; both are hackneyed stuff. http://old.charlestonfishing.com/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=127476
“Watch what we do, not what we say.” John Mitchell
Sea Hunt Triton 202
Yammy 150
Bwulmer don’t be disappointed, just plan for a breakdown every time you go on the water. My personal strategy (even a new boat will break) is to always have a friend with a boat on stand-by.
That’s why I have SeaTow. They’ve helped me out a couple times. Worth every penny for that membership. Peace of mind if nothing else.
I will always stop if you wave me down.
If you are stuck in the mud on a falling tide, I can’t help you much anyway, and I’ll check back on my way home. If you are low on water I’ll give you some. If your engine is broke, just anchor and fish, I’ll come back and get you when I’m on the way in. That ain’t no emergency, it’s just broke:smiley: