Thank you TowBoatUS

[David Guthridge]

Wow!!! Didn't expect all this!!!

Thanks guys, You all are right. I really should not have left the dock without the engine. I have been boating all my life and never went out without one until this time. I never will again! I guess we all get a little cocky now and then and we think we can do what we want. Well, the old saying that no man defeats the sea, the sea allows him to pass. Neptune gave me a pass this time. Lke some of you said, I just wanted to sing praises of TowBoatUS.I did read all your posts and can't argue with a one. This was a good lesson learned and fortunately it all ended well.David Guthridge

 

[Steve Dion]

Demoed our first boat without an engine.

David:Just remember shit happens. Life is an experience.When I purchased my first boat we demoed our new Cherubini H'25 in SF bay without an engine. The salesman hooked up the sails and we sailed in and out of Pier 39. Anyone that knows this area will tell you about winds and currents (not much like the Chesapeak).

 

[Rick Webb]

I Sailed for Years with no Motor

On 19', 20', and 22', boats. Some days it took much longer to get back to the slip but until the beer ran out there was nothing to worry about. Some days it looked real worrisome but we were able to get a power boat to go in and bring us more beer.

 

[Wanderer138]

It could happen to anyone

OK, so David's situation could have been avoided, and calling for a tow may not have been very "salty", but there IS one undeniable fact...he used the resources available to him and brought his family home safely. In my book that's what counts. Considering the volume of traffic on the Bay and with night approaching I probably would have done the same thing, and I'm no wuss. I had engine failure one hot, windless night and it took almost four hours to get back to the dock using my alternate means of propulsion (long oar). What little sense of self-sufficiency and accomplishment I had when I finally arrived at 1 am was overridden by irritation and fatigue.PeterH23 "Raven"

 

[Tom]

Rick W. Nothing wrong with doing it your way

Like you say "Some days it took much longer to get back to the slip" If you know that and expect it, then great.Correct me if I'm wrong but doesn't Coast Guard regulations require a paddle or some form alternate form of propulsion for boats under a certain size.I think the local police can hassle you if your in an inflatable or dinghy that does have a paddle (of course in addition to vests, some method of bailing device, etc, etc)

 

[Rick Webb]

Tom

For the courtesy inspection an alternate form of propulsion is required on vessels under 16' an anchor however is not, go figure that one out.

 

[Clyde]

What Federal Regulation?

I've never heard of a Code of Federal Regulation (CFR) that requires an alternate means of propulsion, such as an oar or paddle for a vessel less than 16 feet. I know that the USCG recommends an alternate means of propulsion as one of their nice to have items, but I've never heard of a federal regulation requiring a paddle or oar. Are you sure it's a federal law?Fair Winds,Clyde

 

[Tom]

Neither is having an anchor with a line attached

But its highly suggested.Rick said its just a check on the courtesy inspection. Doesn't mean its not a smart thing to have for a small vessel

 

[Hayden]

David, Rember Columbus, He left the dock

without and engine. Imagine if he had not.....And he didn't have Tow Boat US to bail him out.Hayden

 

[Tim]

My thoughts

David I respect your feedback and it sounds like you are a good and responsible skipper but some of these responses are rediculous. I can list many reasons why what David did was wrong. If towboat was not available this could have turned into a bad situation very easily. Never sail without aux power on a body of water that you cannot safely get to shore without assistance.What if towboat only agreed to tow him as salvage? There would be a hefty bill. I also agree that the position that David put himself in was paid for by the rest of us. We as boaters have a responsibility to help others that need assistance whether we want to or not. It is not only our resposibility but big money and criminal lawsuits have dictated this.I have no problem helping others. I have many times. Even power boaters;<). My father taught me this at an early age. He also taught me about my responsibilities as a boater and to be accountable for my actions.Towboat did a great job but I feel david took advantage of them by claiming the tow. I feel he should have paid for the tow out of pocket.As for Columbus did everyone on his boats make it back alive? Columbus did it so now it is ok? You must be kidding. He also did not have any PFDs. Does that mean you also agree that PFDs should not be on board?One last thing: Anyone who thinks it is OK to sail on open water without aux power is absolutely wrong. Don't do it. I will help you but if your ignorance ruins my day, harms my boat or crew expect a bill. Sorry if this message sounds a little heavy handed but I have noticed a trend in this country of people not being accountable for their actions. This really has nothing to do with David but his situation made me think.BTW, how many of the repsondants have taken any type of boating safety course?Tim

 

[John Visser]

misc

(I've taken boating safety courses - more than once! I always learn something).Tim - I strongly disagree on one point: it is not unreasonable to go out on open water without auxiliary power. I think you should open your mind and look around a bit. There are lots of boats without power. The important thing is to have a plan for what to do in various situaitons (tide, wind, waves, etc.).

 

[Clyde]

Duty To Provide Assistance At Sea

It is a moral obligation to provide assistance at sea for any vessel in danger of being lost, and it’s also a legal obligation for any vessel operating in US territorial waters. For US owned vessels operating on the high seas outside of US territorial waters, it’s still a legal obligation to assist any vessel in distress."TITLE 46 OF THE UNITED STATES CODECHAPTER 23-OPERATIONS OF VESSELS GENERALLY2301 ApplicationThis chapter applies to a vessel operated on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the United States and, for a vessel owned in the United States, on the high seas.2304 Duty to provide assistance at sea(a) A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the master's or individual's vessel or individuals on board. (b) A master or individual violating this section shall be fined not more than $1,000, imprisoned for not more than 2 years, or both."It doesn’t matter what causes a vessel to be in danger of being lost, operator error or mechanical breakdown, as a US owned vessel you are legally obligated to provide assistance without endangering your vessel or crew.Fair Winds,Clyde

 

[Tom]

Ok Clyde. Define "lost"

Just drifting out to sea due to having no wind is not what I would define as being "lost". I consider "danger of being lost" as the immediate & eminent danger of the boat sustaining serious damage or sinking. The boat we were discussing, most likely will still be in the same condition as it was the day before.....just further away from the point it started..

 

[Vic]

re: Columbus ... all he had to do was put his ...

lifeboats in the water and have the crew row him off the docks. Age of sail had a lot of back breaking help.Vic"Seven"

 

[Clyde]

Not Defined in the code.

I posted the US Code to confirm Tim's comment of "... We as boaters have a responsibility to help others that need assistance whether we want to or not. It is not only our responsibility but big money and criminal lawsuits have dictated this..." and didn't mean to imply that this particular situation met the US Code. I paraphrased the US Code as saying a vessel in danger of being lost, the exact wording in the code is ..." render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost..." and specifies an individual and not a vessel in danger of being lost. The use of the word ..."in danger of being lost..." implies a strong possibility of occurring and not necessarily occurring immediately. This is the maritime version of the "Good Samaritan Act" where you are obligated to render assistance to a reasonable extent to help an individual and not just ignore individuals needing help. The extent of your reasonable involvement can be just relaying a distress message to the US Coast Guard.A sailboat could be adrift because the captain is having a heart attack and his wife doesn't know how to start the engine. Most sailors would hail a vessel if the vessel wasn't acting in a normal manner to see if anything was wrong. In this particular situation, I would have hailed him on the VHF or just motored over within shouting distance to ask if he was in trouble.Fair Winds,Clyde

 

[Joe]

Enough of this!

David's biggest mistake was telling you guys he got rescued because he was dumb instead of because he broke down. Otherwise this thread would have been over long ago.

 

[Steve C]

sailing without a moter is NOT irresponsible

it's done all the time, and not just daysailers, esp. in Maine Tim, look around. Only a brief moment in history ago, sailboats didn't have moters. Cut the guy some slack, he had the first and second mate on board, sure he could of anchored and waited for the wind, even if it ment the next day, but you gotta keep those first mates happy, or your sailing days are numbered One time in Maine I rented a sailboat, called the guy up and reserved it a week in advance without asking any questions about the boat. when I got down to the docks and met the guy, and looked at the boat with no moter, I said, ah no moter uh. He said moters are for sissies Steve, well with that challange how could I back out. To make matters worst, there was a series of very tricky maneuvers to get out of the rock infested little harbor his boat was in to the open harbor. Well, I did it and sailed all day out to the open ocean and back to the main harbor and then back in through the rock garden to dock, without an engine. Now you gonna call me irresponsible? I don't think so, I was just doing what sailors before us did all the time, it was a great experience.Another time on my own boat I got grounded during low tide on the way to a weekend cruise, just screwed up was all, my fault. I could have just sat ther for 4 or 6 hours and waited till tide came in and lifted, but I hailed a passing moter boat and he pulled me off. I was greatful, and could resume my cruise without blowing most of the first day waiting on the tide.Look, the guy called TowBoatUs, and they came, they could of said, sorry we don't come after sailboats with no moters who get caught in a calm, it's their business model, if they want to do it so be it. It's not like he called the Coast Guard and bothered them.