Isn't that what George Bush did to Noriega in Panama and he surrendered almost immediately? I like it, halyard slapping at 200 dB. Might be effective against ISIS!
Liability...... Good Samaritan or just a fool
- Thread starter NYSail
- Start date
Does anyone know if halyards still make a slapping sound if they are under water...?
This is one area where liability is no worse in the US (and sometimes better) than other countries. How do I know?
All US states have broad laws that protect the good samaritan from liability (to be a "good samaritan" it can't be your profession (you can't work at the marina) and you can't take money to do it). We've had 46 replies on this thread and notice there has not been a single story of someone getting sued. A good sign that it doesn't happen much in the real world.
My insurance company charges me $150 per million dollars of umbrella liability insurance that would cover this sort of thing - insurance that I've never needed. That includes them paying the lawyers if I'm sued. The insurance company is making a profit on the $150 so we know this sort of thing hardly ever happens or the insurance would cost a lot more.
For 50 years I've been adjusting dock lines, resetting anchors, unclogging bilge pumps, and generally doing what I hope others would do for my boat. I plan to keep it up.
All US states have broad laws that protect the good samaritan from liability (to be a "good samaritan" it can't be your profession (you can't work at the marina) and you can't take money to do it). We've had 46 replies on this thread and notice there has not been a single story of someone getting sued. A good sign that it doesn't happen much in the real world.
My insurance company charges me $150 per million dollars of umbrella liability insurance that would cover this sort of thing - insurance that I've never needed. That includes them paying the lawyers if I'm sued. The insurance company is making a profit on the $150 so we know this sort of thing hardly ever happens or the insurance would cost a lot more.
For 50 years I've been adjusting dock lines, resetting anchors, unclogging bilge pumps, and generally doing what I hope others would do for my boat. I plan to keep it up.
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i buy small size elastic ties from harbor freight and 'contribute ' one to any banging halyards. my neighbors are grateful for the present, and take the hint...
It's not a hard question.
1. If the roles were reversed and someone saw your boat banging, would you hope they left it alone? Didn't think so. Do you leave your phone number on the boat? Didn't think so.
2. If it were at sea would you feel you had a responsibility? It's not like you are placing yourself at serious (not hypothetical) hazard (I would agree that is a different question--it is only property).
See, it was easy. Go back to your boat and dig out a spare line. I've done it many times.
And if no one is there, there is no responsibility. You didn't sign your name.
1. If the roles were reversed and someone saw your boat banging, would you hope they left it alone? Didn't think so. Do you leave your phone number on the boat? Didn't think so.
2. If it were at sea would you feel you had a responsibility? It's not like you are placing yourself at serious (not hypothetical) hazard (I would agree that is a different question--it is only property).
See, it was easy. Go back to your boat and dig out a spare line. I've done it many times.
And if no one is there, there is no responsibility. You didn't sign your name.
Frankly, elastic ties for halyards are a waste. As soon as the wind rises another 5 knots, they stretch and the halyard slaps again. Many slapping lines were (poorly) secured with elastic line. Three feet of line is better.
Yup. Regular line tied around the shrouds kept my halyards quiet in 40 kts one night.
I retied lines, added lines, and retied fenders to many boats that night. I found one pontoon boat tied with only two lines made of ski rope. Hmmmm. Funny thing was, he had other lines right on deck. I picked them up and tied them.
The next morning, I walked the docks and saw that all the boats were safe. There was satisfaction in helping to keep the boats safe through the storm. I gathered my own lines from boats to which I had lent them. Didn't get a lot of sleep that night, but it was a good experience. The next morning, I got to see a mink steal food from a cooler left onboard the pontoon boat. He left a little poop too.
I hope someone would do the same for me. Not the stealing food or poop part.
Agreed. I cant see many situations where a law suit would really take place. Someone mentioned possibly being sued for administering CPR. I think that is more myth than fact. When I took my CPR class the instructor said "Even is you mess up giving CPR the person is already dead. How can you make it worse?" So if we are tightening a line or securing a loose sail, how can you really make the situation worse?
BTW, everyone on this thread knows how to administer CPR, right?
The saddest people I have ever seen are the loved ones who watched life ebb from the body of a family member or friend because they had no clue how to keep their heart pumping. Sign the whole family up for the class.
The saddest people I have ever seen are the loved ones who watched life ebb from the body of a family member or friend because they had no clue how to keep their heart pumping. Sign the whole family up for the class.
If you tied the line which hauls his centerboard to the boom, and the halyards were clanging, you'd have a bass drum and cowbells!
It is even easier than before... They teach you do not have to exchange saliva (breath every few beats). Just pump in the correct location. Do it with your body not your arms. Keep it up till you are relieved or can not do it any longer.
I am an American Hear Assoc. First Aid/CPR instructor, if you are in or near CT, I can do classes for your club, group or family.
The person that wouldn't tie up someone else's boat for whatever reason (gutless , scared, don't want to get their hands dirty or ??), is probably the same type of person that wouldn't want to get involved in rescuing someone in trouble.
NotCook
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- Dec 29, 2008
- 805