a different kind of wheeling

[spareparts]

Capt'n Pete, its good to hear you guys do it right and legal, I've heard so many horror story's about the two services all up and down the coast, some people I personally know are on on both sides of the tow. I know of tow operators trying to trick boat owners into taking a line or getting off their boat just so the tow operators can claim more money. I've seen pumps deliberately delayed so a boat would be considered salvage rather than saved. I've witnessed complete idiocy by tow operators that resulted in unnecessary damage to the boat in question and the boats surrounding them.I've had boat owners that have had to present firearms(barrel end) to tow operators to get their point across about not wanting their assistance. The red boat operators that used to be down here were brought up on piracy charges more than once(always settled out of court) they are no longer the red boat operators here. The new owner seems to be much better than the old operator. The yellow boats have a better rep in this area, but I understand outside of Charleston, its completely different. I used to think tow truck operators were vultures, compared to most of the boat towing operators they are good samaratines. I personally think that the laws governing the tow operations need to be changed, at least updated to the 20th century(21st is asking too much). I don't have a tow service, I need to get one. I've always had someone I know nearby to lend a hand. I've always been told to never take a line from a tow operator unless i was willing to pay out, and to never get off of the boat, unless its going under

[Destroyer]

Question... I know that at one time it was the law, but is it no longer the law that any nearby boat operator must render aid to a boat in distress?? and that includes towing to safe harbor if necessary.

[spareparts]

I've always heard that if a vessel was in distress and you could aide without putting yourself in distress, you are obligated by law to assist. I don't know if its true, but its something I've always tried to do. I've also heard that if you have a VHF on board, you are required to have it on and monitoring ch 16 if your not using it on another channel

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by spareparts

I've always heard that if a vessel was in distress and you could aide without putting yourself in distress, you are obligated by law to assist. I don't know if its true, but its something I've always tried to do. I've also heard that if you have a VHF on board, you are required to have it on and monitoring ch 16 if your not using it on another channel

That's exactly what I've always been told/heard and do also.. My VHF monitors and then automatically switches to ch 16 for any transmission, so I'm covered there.

[captpete13]

this one happened around 1AM this morning. Obviously a LOT of alcohol was involved.

[Hedge]

I would say just leave that one there and cover it up with brush. The don't need, or deserve to be on the water.

[RWilson2526]

wow that is the best pic ever....how high was the tide to leave no marks in the sand at all?.....I was out Saturday with a TON of other boats....it was crazy monitoring channel 16 with all the things going on..

[Pipe_Dream]

Originally Posted by captpete13

this one happened around 1AM this morning. Obviously a LOT of alcohol was involved.

Holy crap.

Back to the first set of photos, is the bow ring substantial enough to winch a boat from ground to trailer? Or were you tied on elsewhere, too?

What an interesting job.

[Destroyer]

Originally Posted by Pipe_Dream

Holy crap.

Back to the first set of photos, is the bow ring substantial enough to winch a boat from ground to trailer? Or were you tied on elsewhere, too?

What an interesting job.

ANY time you tow a boat you use a bridel harness around the whole boat. The only exception that I know of is whenyou winch a floating boat onto trailer.

[captpete13]

Originally Posted by Pipe_Dream

Holy crap.

Back to the first set of photos, is the bow ring substantial enough to winch a boat from ground to trailer? Or were you tied on elsewhere, too?

What an interesting job.

I was just shackled into the bow eye. You would be suprised with how strong they are.


Sorry Destroyer but 90% of the time the bow eye is the ONLY thing that we tow from. If there is now bow eye then we use I bridal that uses two bow cleats. We only use a hull bridal if the boat is "high and dry".