i’ve heard you can use just about any liquid in the hydraulic steering to limp home. the specific story from a friend was that they used beer. (this was 10 years ago, and might be a BS story tho)
quote:Yes, but the author claimed that Sea Tow refused assistance...
Originally posted by MazacuatonI’d rather have sea tow than some government agency helping me.
28ft Scout
Twin Yamaha 250s
http://www.youtube.com/user/bradleyandassociates
skinneej; He never said that SeaTow refused service! What he did say, was CG told him ST is not coming! He never gave a reason. He may have told CG that they could make it on their own? We need the rest of the story!
We heard the hail as well, and I’m glad everyone is safe, although it was a very long day for you and your crew to say the least. I’m a Sea Tow member as well and would like to hear their reason. I’m surprised… we thought we saw a Sea Tow vessel headed out shortly after the call, and we saw the CG helo.
Sorry to hear about that. Glad you made it in safely!!!
2013 Sea Fox 256CC w/ 300hp Yamaha
“Snapper Slapper”
2003 Alumacraft 14 Crappie Jon w/20hp Nissan
“Pluff Daddy”
I am interested as we’ll as my renewal is due too. What are the pros and cons of sea tow vs?
Explanation by Sea Tow ASAP would be great. Richie Ferndon is the Sea Tow guy in Georgetown, and is a member here. Maybe he will see the post, and explain. I didn’t re up last year, but was going to this week. I would like some answers.
Yes, we have had an annual membership to Seatow and Boat US for 10 years or more. We talked to them and to the Sea Tow Capt. this morning. First off, I again want to stress how great the Coast Guard was. It would have been so much worse had we not known they were there if something had gone wrong. The reason Sea Tow gave us was that they would not come as long as we were making headway, and that they would come get us anywhere, no matter how far out, if we were dead in the water. They said that they were monitoriing our progress though our communications with the CG and were on standby. They also said that if they had known what we were having to do to steer they would have assisted. I can see their point to some degree. We were heading toward home, albeit slowly. The issue I have is that they never once communicated with us to find out our situation. We were taking 30 min. shifts for 10 hours, sitting on an outboard off the stern trying to drive a 33ft. 10k lb boat by shifting our weight while balancing on a dock line. If the weather kicks up, if one of us falls overboard, we are screwed. That is why I called for assistance. In my opinion it was not a safe situation. My thought is that as a paying member and Capt of the boat if I decide I need help, then you either need to come get me or at least talk to me and assess the situation and tell me why you wont. IMO it should be my decision, not theirs. I get that it is expensive for the company to tow someone that far, but that is supposedly the service that we signed up for. I dont want to come across as trying to get revenge for a perceived wrong by #@$tting all over them on the internet which is why i did not elaborate initially but I wanted to respond the inquiries. We made it back fine, no worse for the wear with a cool story and a few fish. Thanks to whatever boat it was that helped us hail the CG. HOpe you found those fish we left.
Hydra-Sport 3300VX
I guess we all need to read the contracts. Like always it comes down to fine print. Some people dont believe in grey areas, but they exsist everywhere.
You payed for a service! Seatow did not deliver. I would consult an attorney to recoup any associated costs. We pay theses guys to help us if they cannot then they should be held responsible.
fish today work tomorrow
I just read the terms out of curiosity. Redstripe pretty much hit the nail on the head. Your boat needed to be “incapable of proceeding under its own power” in order for them to come. So, Fortunate Son, if you weren’t as smart as you proved to be by rigging something up, then I guess they would have come. If it’s any consolation, you probably made better time under your own power, and also learned to overcome a healthy dose of adversity as well.
I would be P O’d … I am anyway. I use TowUS. Captain Steve Little
quote:
The reason Sea Tow gave us was that they would not come as long as we were making headway, and that they would come get us anywhere, no matter how far out, if we were dead in the water
Going against the grain here but I think that is perfectly reasonable. Weather is pretty good, you can make 9 kts safely under your own power and maintain some steerage, and are maintaining regular communication, you are not in a problem situation. Just a minor inconvenience to you, which they really can’t improve on much. You will be late for supper. They can’t tow you home much faster than 9mph in the ocean anyway, after they get out there. Heck there aren’t many sailboats that can make 9 kts at best and they safely sail the world. Just because you can’t come home at 40 mph should not be a cause of concern, or a tow.
USCG is great and are there when you need them. They’ve helped me greatly a few times over the years. I also pay Sea Tow membership, never used them 
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker Larryquote:
The reason Sea Tow gave us was that they would not come as long as we were making headway, and that they would come get us anywhere, no matter how far out, if we were dead in the water
Going against the grain here but I think that is perfectly reasonable. Weather is pretty good, you can make 9 kts safely under your own power and maintain some steerage, and are maintaining regular communication, you are not in a problem situation. Just a minor inconvenience to you, which they really can’t improve on much. You will be late for supper. They can’t tow you home much faster than 9mph in the ocean anyway, after they get out there. Heck there aren’t many sailboats that can make 9 kts at best and they safely sail the world. Just because you can’t come home at 40 mph should not be a cause of concern, or a tow.
USCG is great and are there when you need them. They’ve helped me greatly a few times over the years. I also pay Sea Tow membership, never used them
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
I agree with Larry here.
big dog
I will expand.
Very busy day on the water Sunday for Cg and all tow companies. You were underway… CG was monitoring the sit. And Seatow was standing by and possible involved in other tows or keeping assets ready to put to work as needed.
Oil will also work for hydro steering. I have used it. Not sure about beer though.
big dog
I agree with Fortunate Son’s recap… services not rendered by Sea Tow.
Hello CF.Com
First and foremost, we at Sea Tow Charleston were happy to hear all were safe with regard to the FORTUNATE SON. Our first priority at Sea Tow Charleston has always been safety and always will remain safety.
I am the owner of Sea Tow Charleston. I was also manning our VHF radio watch and dispatch during the time the FORTUNATE SON made comms with USCG Sunday. What we have here is a case of miscommunication. We received a phone call from the Coast Guard that a Sea Tow member was disabled offshore. We began preparing a Sea Tow vessel to head offshore to assist FORTUNATE SON. Due to their distance offshore we did not have direct communications with FORTUNATE SON. Also note, the USCG could only initially communicate with the FORTUNATE SON with an overhead USCG helicopter which I understand originally overheard another relay of the situation. In addition, the USCG launched a 45’ small boat to serve as a relay station offshore until Sector land based comms were established with the FORTUNATE SON. After the USCG Helo was on scene, the USCG phoned and told Sea Tow Charleston that FORTUNATE SON was underway, and was heading in making 9 knots and that the USCG would maintain a “comms schedule” with them. We told the USCG that Sea Tow would be standing by should our member the FORTUNATE SON become DIW and need assistance. I maintained vigilant VHF radio observation and “launch readiness” from the initial USCG phone call to us at 12:45 until the always underway FORTUNATE SON indicated via an 1830 VHF call to USCG that “we do not need assistance from Sea Tow Charleston” as the FORTUNATE SON was making ample way (9 knots) and was approximately 24 miles off Edisto beach.
Only the next morning did I learn further details of the situation when the owner of the FORTUNATE SON called me directly and explained the dangerous nature of the “rigged steering” involving potential harmful scenarios for the crew exercising the make-shift helm. Had more information been relayed to Sea Tow Charleston we most
And so, we get the The Rest of the Story, albeit from the other side!
From what I make of this, is SeaTow did their Due Diligence! There was obvious miscommunication, or no communication, of the dangerous conditions that headway was being made!
Redstripe. If you can SAFELY make it in on you own, you are expected to do so. I wanted to wait for Anthony to respond, before I said anything on here. Communication is key!!
Not sure if this would have helped in their situation, but it has gotten me out of a few jams…RESCUE TAPE! Buy three rolls and keep them on your boat…can be used for steering, fuel, oil and water lines. I really can’t say enough about this stuff. www.rescuetape.com
Give us a call to renew this week! At $300/hr, we aren’t towing many non-members these days!
Richie
Sea Tow Georgetown
24hr Dispatch: 843-527-4136
“If you were a member, it would be free.”
I got towed in the same day from the other side of 226 hole and after arriving home behind towboat us a little after midnight I would have loved to have made 9 kts. we were averaging about 7. Did manage to run out lines and pick up a good dolphin while being pulled though