Boarding Neighbors in a Storm

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by CarlF

I always try to help. It's what I'd want.

The liability scare stories are always trotted out in these threads but in 40 years of sailing I've NEVER heard of a boater being sued or bothered by an insurance company for putting an extra line on a boat. Does anyone have a first hand example? . . . .0

I have a contrary example, actually -- I was involved in a collision last fall, with a fishing boat, who stupidly ran into me (at anchor) while trying to help another fisherman get his gear untangled from my ground tackle.

He turned out to be uninsured, and about 10,000 pounds of damage.

MY insurance company paid for it all, and DECLINED to go after the fisherman -- because he was only trying to help, although they had full legal right, and the fisherman had admitted his guilt and had said he would try to come up with the money to pay for it.

I'm not sure that's typical of insurance companies, but it should be.

Some states in the U.S. have "good Samaritan" laws which protect people who are trying to help others without expectation of reward. A good thing to my mind.

[wiekeith]

I checked-out the lines of a neighboring boat on the weekend before the storms hit the UK. There was an ulterior motive though, if it had broken lose with the forecast 60+kt winds mine would have been the first boat it hit!

As for slapping halyards - they do my head in if they stop me from sleeping. I'll happily tie them off to a shroud, but must admit that I do try to do it when no one is looking...

[Celestialsailor]

Originally Posted by cal40john

Some people absolutely do not want you on their boat no matter what and don't see the need to post a sign saying so -

http://www.cruisersforum.com/forums/...at-140690.html

Yes...I have had them as neighbors who never visit their boat with halyards slapping the mast like a church bell when winds are up and while I'm trying to sleep.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Yes...I have had them as neighbors who never visit their boat with halyards slapping the mast like a church bell when winds are up and while I'm trying to sleep.

Another boat's deck is not any kind of sacred private space. What do such people do when someone rafts up to them

It wouldn't stop me.

[jeepbluetj]

I retie my neighbors regularly. I'm at my marina far more often than them. They all have thanked me for it. I've pulled in a loose genny too. I couldnt stand by and watch a sail get destroyed just because a line popped out of a cleat. (Not to mention it's annoying )

[rognvald]

Good Samaritan?
stevedmarineconsulting.com/the-good-samaritan-at-sea/

[JPA Cate]

To me, the marina situation and the at anchor situations are very different. In the marina, I would add a mooring line if needed, and possible to be done from the dock. Have done so, not necessary often. Board to quiet a halyard? No. Definitely leave a hand printed sign on the boat to "Frap your blank blank halyards!", though. It's a nuisance, not a hazard.

At anchor, and someone is dragging through the fleet, by all means try to veer out more chain. If it's someone you know, and there is mobile phone coverage, phone them. Basically, the dragging boat is a hazard to the ones it is dragging down on or is about to self-destruct. Haven't had to do it ourselves, but have known some to raft up the dragger to themselves, saving it for the owner.

The kindness of strangers is a wonderful part of human behavior. One time a bunch of us cruisers went for a stroll on the island we were anchored at. One of the couples had built their boat themselves, and it was its maiden voyage, a catamaran. When we all were returning, coming down the hill where we could see all the boats, theirs was missing! We all felt shocked. ......As we approached the beach, into the anchorage came another boat, towing their cat, which had been found floating somewhere near enough that the rescuers brought it back to our anchorage. Some pretty happy boat building cruisers that night! [Incidentally, in this case, the reason they dragged was that they had not enough scope out, having not taken into account the tidal range at the location.]

Ann

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by rognvald

Good Samaritan?
stevedmarineconsulting.com/the-good-samaritan-at-sea/

An interesting story. But what is the moral? That you would find a boat in trouble, and in desperate need of a tow, and you are standing nearby, and you tell them -- "I'm not going to help you, because if I screw it up and drag you onto a shoal, you might sue me?"

I wouldn't. Besides giving the tow, I would gladly undertake a reasonable obligation to do it with reasonable competence, with some responsibility for the outcome. Otherwise, what are you really doing for them?


And by the way, the DLR is NOT the Tube. Two different things entirely.

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

An interesting story. But what is the moral? That you would find a boat in trouble, and in desperate need of a tow, and you are standing nearby, and you tell them -- "I'm not going to help you, because if I screw it up and drag you onto a shoal, you might sue me?"

I wouldn't. Besides giving the tow, I would gladly undertake a reasonable obligation to do it with reasonable competence, with some responsibility for the outcome. Otherwise, what are you really doing for them?


And by the way, the DLR is NOT the Tube. Two different things entirely.

Yes, sadly, that's the moral of the story. And, if you've never been sued, you will soon find out how costly--emotionally and financially, it will be. good luck and safe sailing.

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by rognvald

Yes, sadly, that's the moral of the story. And, if you've never been sued, you will soon find out how costly--emotionally and financially, it will be. good luck and safe sailing.

LOL. I'm a lawyer

[Island Time O25]

IMO if the untended boat is endangering your own or the neighbors' boats I think it would then become equivalent of a runaway driverless vehicle. Just need to document it by taking photos and witness statements if needed. And for that owner who "hates to have his vessel boarded" tough luck buddy. If you're absent and your boat is about to slam into mine, especially if you did a half-ass job of securing her, I will take that chance of seeing you in court. And will do my outmost to make sure you will lose. And will pester my congressman to make sure the law is amended accordingly for the future. There is no need for runaway boats to be protected from being boarded by the owners of their about to be "victimized" neighbors.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

An interesting story. But what is the moral? That you would find a boat in trouble, and in desperate need of a tow, and you are standing nearby, and you tell them -- "I'm not going to help you, because if I screw it up and drag you onto a shoal, you might sue me?"

I wouldn't. Besides giving the tow, I would gladly undertake a reasonable obligation to do it with reasonable competence, with some responsibility for the outcome. Otherwise, what are you really doing for them?


And by the way, the DLR is NOT the Tube. Two different things entirely.

Cannot be bothered reading the link..
But know well the type of ANUS who refuses a you a tow...
1/ is the ******* who rammed you in the 1st place and does a runner..
2/ is the ******* who hears the CG asking nearby craft to lend assistance to a disabled sailboat no engine or sails (my deck/hull join was buckled and split 23ft from just aft the pulpit and a vertical 3ft split in the hull to just above the waterline.. his attitude was..
" If the silly ass is out here and does not know how to sail or drive a boat serves the silly bugger right.."... and he sailed past 2 miles to the N of me.. forcing the RNLI to come out of Salcombe and tow me in...
Day 47 of a non-stop from SMX...

Still rankles 15yrs later...

[rognvald]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

LOL. I'm a lawyer

Have you ever been sued?

[rwidman]

I don't think you're going to find a consensus here. On any subject.

I might board someone's boat, I might not. It depends on the situation.

[Rick Williams]

Amen to not finding consensus! What was I thinking? I think the old adage can be modified to: if there's 10 sailors in a room you can expect to get 15 opinions!
I would certainly never standby and watch a boat get damaged. I believe I have more empathy for the boat then some of the skippers.