On another website (name not important), there was a post on how someone was P/O/ed because their boat broke down and the CG called Sea Tow and was charged. He felt that being a taxpayer, the CG should have towed him gratus.
The current policy (as I remeber it) is: The CG will not do courtesy tows. They will 'assist" if:
1. There is danger to personnel. Examle: A disabled vessel and a bad storm approaching.
2. If the disabled vessel is presenting a hazzard; Example: in a narrow channel, blocking it
3. There is a serious medical problem.
4. A real mayday: boat sinking, on fire, man overboard, etc
5. Only if no other commercial or good samaratin help is available. Example: an area where sea Tow or another assiting agency is available, or a passerby cannot be found to assist. (We in the auxilairy used this one when there was no sea tow on the St. John's river.)
Otherwise, they will put out a MARB (Marine assistance Radio Broadcast) on channel 16 and se if someone can assist, commercial or not. If no takers within an hour, they will assist.
How did this come about? Back in the early 90s, the CG (and auxiliary) towed disableds --no charge_- whenever it was necessary, for "boating safety". Sea tow comes on scene, providing this "service" for money. Either selling memberships and/or charging per case. Then, they sued the CG and federal gov't for the gov't "competing with private enterprize", and won. This brought out the policy which I attempted to outline above. AT that point, the axuiliary lost 1/3 of their membership. Why volunteer and train, when you must "bird dog" for sea tow, pro bono?
So, the next time you hear someone complaining on how the gov't won't help you, read the above to them.
Note: I am not ranting. I retired from the Auxiliary after 26 years because I got tired of the politics.
Alll, and all, the auxiaiary does a very good job of protecting the boaters from themselves.
I will help another boater in trouble, but the circumstances gotta feel right. I am trained and equipped.
The current policy (as I remeber it) is: The CG will not do courtesy tows. They will 'assist" if:
1. There is danger to personnel. Examle: A disabled vessel and a bad storm approaching.
2. If the disabled vessel is presenting a hazzard; Example: in a narrow channel, blocking it
3. There is a serious medical problem.
4. A real mayday: boat sinking, on fire, man overboard, etc
5. Only if no other commercial or good samaratin help is available. Example: an area where sea Tow or another assiting agency is available, or a passerby cannot be found to assist. (We in the auxilairy used this one when there was no sea tow on the St. John's river.)
Otherwise, they will put out a MARB (Marine assistance Radio Broadcast) on channel 16 and se if someone can assist, commercial or not. If no takers within an hour, they will assist.
How did this come about? Back in the early 90s, the CG (and auxiliary) towed disableds --no charge_- whenever it was necessary, for "boating safety". Sea tow comes on scene, providing this "service" for money. Either selling memberships and/or charging per case. Then, they sued the CG and federal gov't for the gov't "competing with private enterprize", and won. This brought out the policy which I attempted to outline above. AT that point, the axuiliary lost 1/3 of their membership. Why volunteer and train, when you must "bird dog" for sea tow, pro bono?
So, the next time you hear someone complaining on how the gov't won't help you, read the above to them.
Note: I am not ranting. I retired from the Auxiliary after 26 years because I got tired of the politics.
Alll, and all, the auxiaiary does a very good job of protecting the boaters from themselves.
I will help another boater in trouble, but the circumstances gotta feel right. I am trained and equipped.
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