The 'Salvage' poll

[europaflyer]

On the 'Primadonna' thread (http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...na-124335.html) it seems a difference of opinion has cropped up, and even got a little heated. Here is the original blog post, but this is the situation explained as neutrally as possible...

A cruising family come across a 40' steel ketch aground on a reef. Despite that 'freshly grounded' look, there's no-one on board. Local fishermen tell you that the boat is very recently abandoned, and that 'if you want something, it's all yours'. You know nothing more about the boat, and you're not in a position to contact the owners. The boat is not the prettiest to look at, but it is dry inside, has sails bent on and, basically, is seaworthy, just in need of being dragged off the reef. It's clearly a liveaboard boat, and the couple had to leave in a hurry, with a phone and wallet left lying on the table. However, it's got juicy stuff aboard like winches, a nice windlass, a liferaft, electronics, a surfboard and snorkelling gear...

What do you do?

[Nicholson58]

I believe the owners were ejected from the country. I would think that if they planned to return, a note or notice of intent to salvage should have been posted by the owners or the Bahamian authorities. Its made more complicated by the fact that it is intact and not holed. If it was awash, holed and personal effects removed its an easier decision. Anecdotal data says the owners will never come back and have no resources to lift it from the reef. My guess is no insurance either. It would make more sense for the Bahamians to have picked it for forfeit & resale. As it is, it will be a pile of junk & eyesore. Surprised the solar panels were not taken.

[pistarckle]

Just because it is aground does not mean it is abandoned ! I might hang around for a day or so to see if anyone comes back . The fisherman may be fibbing , hoping someone else will be the first to start the stealing !

[Nicholson58]

I can't see going after stuff that's not mine. The status of this vessel is just too unsure and we carry so much stuff & spares, I just can't imagine stowing more - AND feeling like I picked someone's pocket.

Don't take stuff that isn't yours & Do no harm.

[atoll]

i reccomend contacting the owners and buying it for a dollar,before looting it

[mariner36bob]

"What do you do?"
I keep my hands to myself.

"We're Wreckers!" Screw you, you're a thief.

Think of it, you run aground, your partner is injured, you seek and receive help getting to dry land and some bohemian azzhole pillages your possessions.

[Red Sky]

Read the original post last night. While I think the Primadonna crew, with the exception of the dog, deserve all the bad that comes their way, it struck me as a little unseemly. Taking and posting pictures of the "salvage" made it seem more like looting. Without knowing the backstory, finding a wallet and phone would have changed the situation in my eyes.

[Tx J]

As I just posted on the original thread (more or less):

I find it very curious that the boat still seemed to be almost intact (personal effects OK, etc.), after being stranded for a time, when the Nomadiks plundered it.

It is almost as if the local Bahamian authorities (in that remote area) had put out the word that the Primadonna was to be left strictly alone for the time being.
And in such places the local authority figures generally carry immense clout, and no local could hope to 'get away' without being exposed sooner or later.

[DDabs]

There's one situation that would change my philosophy on "wrecking"

Living in a post-apocalyptic society where 99.9% of the World was covered in water, and I had a huge trimaran with tons of stowage.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by mariner36bob

Think of it, you run aground, your partner is injured, you seek and receive help getting to dry land and some bohemian azzhole pillages your possessions.

.. after 3+ months. The boat went aground in January, the 'pillage' was in April.

Not that this condones the pillage, but your example isn't what the situation is.

[mariner36bob]

Did the nomad pillage crew know that? I I read their blog post. Seems they boarded the boat after a day, after being told it was recently grounded.

[Red Sky]

Just went back and read the last 12-14 hours of posts on the original. I was holding my tongue in my above post, been a little to vociferous the last couple of days on CF.

Let me modify my response, the "salvors" were nothing more than thieving POS.

[SaltyMonkey]

Originally Posted by atoll

i reccomend contacting the owners and buying it for a dollar,before looting it

I recommend trying to contact the owners with a dollar and if they don't answer, loot it.

[SaltyMonkey]

sad though looking at it all alone out there

[bornyesterday]

I read the original post and the the blog.
Discovering such a scene I'd try to raise the appropriate authority on vhf and board the vessel to see if anyone was sick or worse. Take photographs, leave a note, log the event, report at the next stop.
Don't remember reading that they called anyone?
I hate thieves, including those who steal from other thieves.