Dock owner liability

[Heck]

This past weekend I docked in a marina owned by a large suburban municipality. I approached the dock from an angle and ended up bumping it slightly with my bow at a good clip, which is usually not a big deal. In this case however the timber on the end was in bad shape and the bolt holding it was sticking out which resulted in a pretty good gouge on my boat, about 8 inches long.

Would you consider the owner of the dock to be liable?

[Mike OReilly]

Would never even occur to me to ask such a question. I'd kick myself for the bad docking, probably inform the marina of the problem, and then set about repairing the damage to my boat.

[Sailmonkey]

Please no.


Take responsibility for your actions.

You opted to utilize the muni pier, you hit a bolt. Own it.

Or litigate with the municipality, cause everyone’s taxes to go up by winning a case, have the pier removed because it’s too much liability for the city…….

[Nord Sal]

I'd only consider them liable if their dock ran into you.

Take responsibility for your own actions.

[Greatest Lakes]

Do you sue the city if you scrape your car rims on the curb?

[StuM]

Originally Posted by Heck

This past weekend I docked in a marina owned by a large suburban municipality. I approached the dock from an angle and ended up bumping it slightly with my bow at a good clip, which is usually not a big deal. In this case however the timber on the end was in bad shape and the bolt holding it was sticking out which resulted in a pretty good gouge on my boat, about 8 inches long.

Would you consider the owner of the dock to be liable?

Not in the least!

(No even in the US, which is probably the only country in the world where anyone would think to ask the question )

[thinwater]

Seriously?


Yes, it would be nice if docks were free of bolts and nails, but that's not an expectation. If it is your home slip, protruding bolts can be covered.


Likewise, I would not fee responsible for scuffing a dock or knocking off a minor splinter. Docks get bumped. Crashing into it and breaking something major is different.

[Wotname]

[Muaddib1116]

This is an insane thing to ask.

[Knotical]

Heck no!

Sorry, couldn’t resist, love the username btw

[Creedence]

In this day and age, with a good enough lawyer.... no. They’d still laugh at you.

[Madehn]

Personally i think something needs to be done about all of those predatory docks that lay in wait for the unwary boaters and then leap out with nefarious intent. Suggest you get a lawyer- a GOOD one- an EXPENSIVE one and sue the dock for any assets it has-- it could have tons of oysters hidden just below the waterline - possibly other hidden assets. Spend LOTS of time on this - it will keep you out of my anchorage and me out of your perceived "liability zone"-- surely, hopefully this was a troll post

[nolakennedys]

No, i would say that's on you. Now if you step off your newly gouged boat and the board broke and you fell through and broke an arm/leg/rib or something then yes that would be on the owner of the dock.
Term of the day: Roving fender...