I was in a small harbor over the weekend and witnessed something I was curious about. A small motor boat was in the harbor between two of the docks when it's motor quit. The boat was located between two docks and slowly being blown toward one of the docks. While the boat drifted, a sailboat came along but did not offer any assistance other then to say you will be against the dock soon. People sitting around with drinks in hand (not trying to help either) on their boats watching the whole thing had a lot of ill feelings for the sailboat captain for not assisting. Though I am not sure what help was really needed. I had a chance to talk with the people on the sailboat later and they explained that by the time they could have thrown a rope, the boat would have been resting up against the dock. If they had thrown them a rope, they would have towed them to a dock, resulting in the same ending. Since they did not see the boat as being in any danger, they decided to let the wind do the work it was already doing. My question is, was this a right course of action or not. Had there been a danger of the boat heading in to rocks or out to open water the captain said he would have aided, but with the lack of apparent dangers he opted not to. What is your opinions?
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Peggie Hall/Head Mistress
Was he asking for help?
Did he appear upset that no one was offering help? Sometimes, help can cause more problems than no help. If he was just drifting toward a dock, in no danger, and giving no indication that he wanted or needed any help, I'd say everybody did just fine. The sailboat was closest to him, and he certainly had plenty of opportunity to ask the sailboat to throw him a line if he thought he needed one. Obviously, he didn't.
Did he appear upset that no one was offering help? Sometimes, help can cause more problems than no help. If he was just drifting toward a dock, in no danger, and giving no indication that he wanted or needed any help, I'd say everybody did just fine. The sailboat was closest to him, and he certainly had plenty of opportunity to ask the sailboat to throw him a line if he thought he needed one. Obviously, he didn't.
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Justin - O'day Owners' Web
Help can be a hassel
If the sailboater really would have helped had the guy asked or the damage been apparent then there seems nobody did anything wrong here. As Peggie points out sometimes having too many people around can be a bigger problem than the problem. I am reminded of a guy here in Casco Bay who just couldn't seem to get his boat out of irons. Kept trying to turn the boat to starboard when the boat wanted to go to port. He was making his way but very slowly. Another boat came sailing along, observed what was happening and cruised in to assist and explain that the first boat should turn away to port then gybe around blah blah blah. The helpfull boat suffered extensive damage to the keel and keel/hull joint when he tagged the ledge the first boat knew about and was pinching up to avoid. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
If the sailboater really would have helped had the guy asked or the damage been apparent then there seems nobody did anything wrong here. As Peggie points out sometimes having too many people around can be a bigger problem than the problem. I am reminded of a guy here in Casco Bay who just couldn't seem to get his boat out of irons. Kept trying to turn the boat to starboard when the boat wanted to go to port. He was making his way but very slowly. Another boat came sailing along, observed what was happening and cruised in to assist and explain that the first boat should turn away to port then gybe around blah blah blah. The helpfull boat suffered extensive damage to the keel and keel/hull joint when he tagged the ledge the first boat knew about and was pinching up to avoid. Justin - O'day Owners' Web
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Bob
No help needed, none rendered.
If the boat was in no danger to navigation or of getting wrecked, and the sailboat captain was close enough to talk to the boat's operator who did not 'request' assistance, my opinion is, "No harm, No foul!" I have a 34' boat, and have to moor in a slip with only about 2 feet to spare between me and the next boat. Shifting winds on the lake make it a nightmare in the best of conditions. All of my 'neighbors' realise the effort it takes, and are ALWAYS available for line handling, without being asked. And I provide the same for them, unrequested. It's a common courtesy. Power or sail, it makes no difference. I always ask if someone needs assistance, if they appear to be in trouble. Let them refuse. It may be an hour later that I may have to hail them for help.
If the boat was in no danger to navigation or of getting wrecked, and the sailboat captain was close enough to talk to the boat's operator who did not 'request' assistance, my opinion is, "No harm, No foul!" I have a 34' boat, and have to moor in a slip with only about 2 feet to spare between me and the next boat. Shifting winds on the lake make it a nightmare in the best of conditions. All of my 'neighbors' realise the effort it takes, and are ALWAYS available for line handling, without being asked. And I provide the same for them, unrequested. It's a common courtesy. Power or sail, it makes no difference. I always ask if someone needs assistance, if they appear to be in trouble. Let them refuse. It may be an hour later that I may have to hail them for help.
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Guest
Standing by is a great help just in itself ...
Couple of weeks ago going into Newport a single handed 30 ft. blew a mainsail up ahead of us. Looked like he was completely out of control ... We hung around while he got his sails tucked in and motor started ... sort of moral support if he should have fallen overboard. We didn't hail him, didn't get too close ... let the guy work it out ... I think he knew we were there if he needed help ... But he recoved well by himself ... If he had gone overboard or looked injured [he wasn't a young kid] we would have called the Coast Guard first and then tried to get him out of the water ... leaving the boat for the Coast Guard to handle. Vic
Couple of weeks ago going into Newport a single handed 30 ft. blew a mainsail up ahead of us. Looked like he was completely out of control ... We hung around while he got his sails tucked in and motor started ... sort of moral support if he should have fallen overboard. We didn't hail him, didn't get too close ... let the guy work it out ... I think he knew we were there if he needed help ... But he recoved well by himself ... If he had gone overboard or looked injured [he wasn't a young kid] we would have called the Coast Guard first and then tried to get him out of the water ... leaving the boat for the Coast Guard to handle. Vic
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Larry W.
To help or not
More than once I've seen skippers totally blow a situation, then get mad at offered advice. Now days I don't offer help or advice unless it is specifically asked for. Someone once said No good deed goes unpunished.
More than once I've seen skippers totally blow a situation, then get mad at offered advice. Now days I don't offer help or advice unless it is specifically asked for. Someone once said No good deed goes unpunished.
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Ed P.
Maritime Law
Maritime tradition as well as Coast Guard regulations require that a skipper provide assistance to another vessel in distress if that can be done without risk of putting the assisting vessel in danger. The key here is that the distressed vessel must have asked for assistance. In the case you cited, the correct action of the sailboat skipper should have been to inquire of the other vessel whether they needed or wanted assistance. That assistance could have been anything from a tow to relaying a call for assistance to other sources. However, completely ignoring a vessel in distress is not only against Maritime law, it is poor manners on the part of another skipper.
Maritime tradition as well as Coast Guard regulations require that a skipper provide assistance to another vessel in distress if that can be done without risk of putting the assisting vessel in danger. The key here is that the distressed vessel must have asked for assistance. In the case you cited, the correct action of the sailboat skipper should have been to inquire of the other vessel whether they needed or wanted assistance. That assistance could have been anything from a tow to relaying a call for assistance to other sources. However, completely ignoring a vessel in distress is not only against Maritime law, it is poor manners on the part of another skipper.
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