GHS swim platform on 2006 40 Sundancer

bmalassoc

New Member
Dec 23, 2008
19
Illinois
Boat Info
40 Sundancer 2006
Engines
Cummins QSB 380
On Labor Day weekend the top two welds of the starboard bracket broke causing the bottom of the bracket to punch a hole thru the transom. Pumps could not keep up so I did a soft grounding and got my passengers off. Tow Boat US invoice of $68,750.00 salvage fee because we used one of his electric pumps to supplement my bilge pumps. Not bad for two hours of work! The reason for this thread is for all owners who have this lift to be vigilant and check these welds on a regular basis.
 
Wow. Good decision making on the grounding. Glad everybody way ok. How did the boat make out?
 
I'm sorry....are you saying TowBoats charged you $68 THOUSAND and 750 DOLLARS for them to use a pump on your boat?
 
I'm sorry....are you saying TowBoats charged you $68 THOUSAND and 750 DOLLARS for them to use a pump on your boat?

Do Over,

My exact thought too

are you going be out on LOTO this coming weekend?
 
I tried to post pictures of the bracket but my picture files are to large.

The invoice is for $68,750.00 for "PURE SALVAGE" since I used one of his small electric pumps to assist my bilge pumps. He then towed my boat for three miles to the closest travel lift.

I will need new props, shafts yet to be determined, fiberglass work on the hull and transom, and new hydraulic swim platform bracket. Both engines had water in the bell housings.
 
O
I tried to post pictures of the bracket but my picture files are to large.

The invoice is for $68,750.00 for "PURE SALVAGE" since I used one of his small electric pumps to assist my bilge pumps. He then towed my boat for three miles to the closest travel lift.

I will need new props, shafts yet to be determined, fiberglass work on the hull and transom, and new hydraulic swim platform bracket. Both engines had water in the bell housings.

Wow - I am guessing this is their opening position for "low order merit salvage" - it is highly unlikley the insurance co. will agree to pay that amount given the relevant risk the tow boat took.

Smart captaining - I am glad everyone got off safe, this could have been a very different story we were reading.
 
I tried to post pictures of the bracket but my picture files are to large.

The invoice is for $68,750.00 for "PURE SALVAGE" since I used one of his small electric pumps to assist my bilge pumps. He then towed my boat for three miles to the closest travel lift.

I will need new props, shafts yet to be determined, fiberglass work on the hull and transom, and new hydraulic swim platform bracket. Both engines had water in the bell housings.

still don't understand......my first boat sank in 27 ft of water and TowBoats charged me $7500 to completely raise it and they used 3 pumps (2 2" and 1 4") to pump it out......something's not right here.
 
Salvage claims are based on a % of the value of the vessel. What value and the % applied is usually negotiated by the insurer.

"Imminent danger" to the vessel or the passengers might be questionable here because you secured the passengers from danger and prevented sinking by grounding the boat. Be sure your insurance carrier knows the whole story before paying the claim.
 
Salvage claims are based on a % of the value of the vessel. What value and the % applied is usually negotiated by the insurer.

"Imminent danger" to the vessel or the passengers might be questionable here because you secured the passengers from danger and prevented sinking by grounding the boat. Be sure your insurance carrier knows the whole story before paying the claim.


Agree - Pure Salvage is "merit salvage" - with merit salvage the tow boat captain can claim a percentage of the value of the assets he salvaged (not sure what percentage it is in the USA but in europe it used to be 50%).

"High order" salvage is when the stricken boats captain or crew, or something else - is in imminent danger - here is where the captain can claim the Highest percentage of the vessel value, "low order" is when there is no imminent danger and a lower percentage will be claimed.

It used to be when I was a coast guard volunteer that all private tow boat operators if they had to use equipment to salvage a vessel would automatically claim a merit salvage and claim the maximum - knowing they would have to settle with the insurer or through a court for something less than that.

All my experience was outside the USA and many years ago - but maritime law tends to be fairly consistent.

Not justifying it but I think this is a claim stake with the expectation it does not get paid out to that amount.
 
learned something new today...thanks fellas....and glad no one was hurt....well done on the quick actions of the Captain
 
Please post pictures of the broken braket. If you can't upload PM me and I will send you me e-mail. I am very curious as I have the same boat and lift.

Thanks in advance and very happy everyone is ok.
 
Please post pictures of the broken bracket. If you can't upload PM me and I will send you me e-mail. I am very curious as I have the same boat and lift.

Thanks in advance and very happy everyone is ok.

+1. PM me and I'll give you an email address if you wouldn't mind sending me a copy of the pics. Sounds like something for us to monitor on these boats where a hydraulic platform was added.
 
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+1. PM me and I'll give you an email address if you wouldn't mind sending me a copy of the pics. Sounds like something for us to monitor on these boats where a hydraulic platform was added.

Me Too, Please - GHS makes lifts for several of the other brands.
 
Thanks for sharing your storry. Very sorry for what happened, but glad everyone was safe. Good move on saving the crew and the vessel.


It would be very helfull for many people with the same lift brand if you could post some pics. If you have trouble resizing the originals to smaller size, let us know and there are many people who can give you quick tips on resolving this.
 
When they invoice for "PURE SALVAGE" the price is determined by the value of the boat. I asked the Tow Boat US Captain for his calculation of how he calculated his price, my insurance asked for a copy of his report and pictures he took. He replied with a copy of his attorneys business card and told me to contact him!

To add insult to this situation my renewal for Boat US just came in the mail.
 
Sometimes you just have to apply the laws of common sense and call BS on this type of activity. It's truly predatory and opportunistic. I hope your insurance company digs their heels in.
 
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