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Originally Posted by NightWing
BK, why don't you just say what you wanted/expected MP to do? Tow you to a gas dock? Where? How far away? What about the traffic detail they were assigned? Abandon that and let dozens, maybe hundreds of boats go wild while the MP unit was tied up towing your one boat back to wherever? Your expectations and attitude may have influenced the officer, but their policy is still not to tow boats unless life, limb or property are at risk, and only tow far enough to remove the vessel from danger. The fact that another boater gave you a tow is evidence that help was available. If that boater would have towed you to shore, would you have been happy then? You claimed that gas was three miles away and you had to walk, so your problems wouldn't be over at shore. Was that the responsibility of the boater who helped you?
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What I wanted from the Marine Patrol was some guidance. It was late, there was so much boat traffic I was afraid to be drifting in the area I was in, I thought another boat might hit us. I did not expect them to take me to the boat docks because I knew they were probably closed at 12:00. When you say what did I expect? Great question, I did not know what to expect from asking them for help. They drove over to me to see why I wasn't moving. As far as my attitude, it was friendly and concerning. I needed help, I had a boat full of kids that and an elderly grandmother, How else do you think I was acting? I was with my family, out watching the fire works. I guess I assumed when they came over to me they would help me, I was wrong. They told me they couldn't help, it was not their responsibility, pushed off and left me there, that was there answer to the question, what did I expect. I can answer that question now, NOTHING! Because that is what I got. I would have taken a tow to shore if it was offered. As far as having to get gas once on shore, that is what it is, I didn't mind getting some exercise walking to and from to get gas. What is it you don't understand, they came over to me, I told them I was out of gas, they told me they couldn't help me, and they left! Everyone on the boat that day still can not believe the way Marine Patrol just left us out there. If I had been hit by another boat it would have been criminal on their part.