Friday night excitement.....

[Steve S]

So last night I had a couple of friends come out for an early evening cruise. Beautiful cruising with 1-2 foot waves... Headed out of Northpoint Marina and turned south... Cruised down a couple of miles and had turned back north, slowed down to "cocktail speed"...

Then came the call... "Pan, Pan, Pan, the Coast Guard has reported a sailboat has capsized 1/4 mile outside Northpoint Marina...."

There were not many boats out and I only see one sail near the marina... So I power up and head towards the marina. Soon I notice a second sailboat with his sails down and the capsized sailboat which is now roped to the assisting sailboat. I head over to see if I could assist. As I get closer I see there are two people in the water near the capsized sailboat. I slow down and cautiously approach the scene and the two people in the water head over to the assisting sailboat. The assisting sailboat wasn't very big...Smaller than the 30' - 35' Hunters that are my slip neighbors. Powered by a 20 HP outboard.

As we were figuring out what to do, the USCG shows up. Takes all the people on board except for the captain of the assisting sailboat. I slowly circle the scene as this is going on... Not sure if I should leave or what.

Turns out the 20HP sailboat cannot tow the now "turned turtle" sailboat. So the USCG asks me if I am willing to pull it in. It was a small fiberglass sailboat maybe 15'. I agreed and we attached a rope to a cleat on the stern port side. I wasn't sure if I should use the lower bar just above the swim platform.

Towed it in but between the drag and the west wind, it was a bear. Ended up using the port engine and still had to use full right rudder to maintain course. Moved at a whole 1.5 knots. I did keep switching engines and at time had to use opposite power, forward port and reverse stern to get back to the heading needed. Obviously going that slow the rudders were not that effective.

Got into the marina and just as I got to a pier, Towboat US showed up. I tied off the sailboat and headed back to my slip. After dinner and a few adult beverages I finally relaxed...

So is there anything I should have done differently?



Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[DaFish]

You responded and were there to assist what could have been a bad scene - play "Monday Morning Quarterback" if you want, but what you did would be graciuously appreciated by all of us.

 

[Steve S]

Thanks DaFish....!

I was looking more for tips on the towing etc... Is there a better way? Handling the boat, etc.

Not so much about the responding to the call. With my 210 Monaco, when I lost the out drive, I waved the emergency flag with many supposed "boaters" going by and no one stopped... For almost 1 hour...

If I see or hear a situation I will respond....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[DaFish]

A turtled sailboat is a difficult tow to start with. There are no rules or guides to use. Do what makes sense, is in the safe interest of people and property and accomplishes the goal. When you look back at the tow, you would be the best person to say what would I have done differently and why. Each and every tow is different as each set of conditions are different. We assisted with a disabled sailboat tow last weeked in 3-5 foot seas - except the sailboat was a 40' and the mast was pointing up - after the tow was in, we all re-ran the tow in terms of what learnings we could apply to the next situation.

 

[HUMPH]

You should always make a bridle to go between the aft cleats then tie the tow line to the vessel being towed. This keeps your "load" more centered and easier to tow. Never put yourself at risk or even too uncomfortable when asked to assist. The worst case scenario would be to tell them no but you will stand by and assist in their efforts when they come out and tow the vessel in distress.

 

[Steve S]

I had an able body crew who was prepared to cut the sailboat loose if needed.... The bridle is a great idea....


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[rondds]

Did you claim the snailbloat as salvage? ;-)
Sounds like no one was hurt. I think you acted above and beyond the call of duty by towing the thing back. If the tow-boat guy did, he'd likely have charged the owner FULL salvage price.

 

[Boat Guy]

15' is a pretty small sailboat. I mean a Hobie is 16'-18'....

Did anyone think to try and flip it back over? I'd be reluctant to tow a boat in this position. I'd be concerned about hitting bottom...

 

[northern]

Question. If you damage a boat you are towing are you libal?

 

[ZZ13]

And, if you damage your boat from towing another boat, will your insurance cover it?

You certainly did more than I would have. I have never towed another boat so I wouldn't have done it. After all, it's most likely insured. Would you tow a stranger's car from an auto accident you happened upon?

Glad it worked out for you, though.

 

[Kreole Kid]

Good Job Steve!!!:smt038 When we are on the water, I always listen out on the vhf for assist calls, that's just the type of person I am. Thank the maker no one was injured.

 

[northern]

I have pulled lake boats with other lake boats but think using a 30,000 pound cruiser as a tow boat could represent difficulty. I would get people on my boat, mark the capsized boat on my GPS and leave the rest to the pros especially in an area near a marina. Glad you were sucessful. Would be concerned aboat the cleet on the boat you are pulling. If it ever let go the cleet would be like a bullet and couldkill some one.

 

[Lakegirl]

I certainly would have made the assist to persons but since USCG was there and tow boats was on the way I dont think I would have put my property at risk of damage to tow.

Lakegirl

 

[Westie]

Good Job Steve!!!:smt038 When we are on the water, I always listen out on the vhf for assist calls, that's just the type of person I am. Thank the maker no one was injured.

Actually by law (at least here in Canada) you are required to do this.

 

[Steve S]

If it was anything larger then that Sailboat I wouldn't have attempted it. 15' is a guess... It was a basic non cabin sailboat...


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Summer Fun II]

Good job Steve. :thumbsup: . :thumbsup:.

 

[magstang1]

The people, I will help.

Property is for the tow boat and insurance company to sort out.

You did more than I would have.

 

[Gofirstclass]

Good on ya for stepping up to help. I've towed several boats on the Columbia and will do it again in a heartbeat if necessary. I guess that's a decision everyone has to make for himself. Clint Eastwood said it succinctly in one of his movies...."A man's got to know his limitations." This includes knowing if you're experienced enough with your boat to safely take on a tow. It's really not all that difficult, but if you're not comfortable with your skill level at the helm, probably you shouldn't do it. It does require self confidence and some level of common sense. Not everyone on the water has those two qualities.

If it's me towing another boat here's some of the things I normally do....
-everyone puts on a PFD
-everyone gets on my boat except one person to steer the disabled boat. This reduces the towed weight.
-everyone on my boat remains seated. I keep an eye on weight distribution in my boat.
-I've towed with and without a bridle. With is a bit easier.
-Tie the line to the towed boat at his bow eye if possible
-tie the line to your sternmost cleats
-wrap a couple of large towels (or PFD's) around the tow line. If it snaps, the towels will keep it from slingshotting into your boat and hurting someone
-Use a floating line if possible so it doesn't get wrapped in your props
-go slow, but maintain steerage

When you are getting close to your destination bring the towed boat up alongside yours and secure it to your boat with plenty of fenders. This makes it easier to guide him into the dock. I've never accepted money for a tow. I just tell 'em to pay it forward and tow someone else if the need arises.

Again, good on ya for doing that tow. We all need all the good Karma we can build.

 

[fwebster]

I don't think this was a good samaritan situation where you just helped a fellow boater.

The USCG avoided the tow by asking you to do it. It seems to me that when all passengers are safe, asking you to assume the liability for towing a disabled vessel is going way beyond the mission of the CG. Remember, you are not a licensed and you do not have a towing endorsement. I think the prudent course would have been for the CG to call a commercial tower and stayed on scene until the boat was under control of someone who was licensed and trained to remove the boat from navigable waters or towed the boat themselves.

I hope you get a Monday morning phone call thanking you instead of one from a lawyer asking you to pay for towing damage.

 

[Hampton]

I always assist people who need a tow. I call Sea Tow for them. That is my extent of towing help. I might have tried to right it, though. Then it could have easily been towed. That may have been more fun trying.