Boat Break-Downs

[dpg]

Hello - just wondering, besides waving your arms like crazy at a passer-by is their a number that can be called from a cell phone should your boat break down on the water? I often wonder as my (20 year old boat) makes me more and more nervous every year out there .

Thanks.

[ApS]

Don't feel bad about an old boat: a brand-new all-white 28-foot SeaRay broke down and anchored off my place Saturday afternoon. (And drifted about 300-feet while dragging his anchor ) After only five minutes, some discreet arm-waving got the attention of a passing boater.

After a short tow backwards, the towline was unwrapped from the SeaRay's outdrive and prop . He did get towed home—about one mile distant.

BTW: A compact disk (a CD) makes a great signaling mirror.

[TomC]

programmed into the cell at 603-293-2300. They will tow non-BoatUS members at higher rates. Its inexpensive to join the association.

www.nhmobilemarine.com

[codeman671]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Otherwise, there are absolutely no tow boat services anywhere on the lake and absolutely no one ever will stop to help.

I am sure FLL is joking as always. There is a tow service on the lake and they do come. They towed a friend away a few weeks ago when his manifold gasket let go, hydro locking the motor.

[jrc]

I second BoatUS and TowBoatUS.

When I lost a universal in the outdrive, they towed us in. Sure Irwin's would have come but what if it's late at night. For less than $100 a year it's good insurance. Plus BoatUS does a lot of good for the boating community. And even more plus BoatUS members get kickbacks at West Marine.

Some people will still tow you in out of kindness. I've been at boths ends of a friendly tow over the years. But fear of lawsuits, boat damage and general idiots has dampened the helpful spirit of the good samaritan.

[Kamper]

NH Marine Patrol, Glendale. 603-293-2037. Found in the front of any NH phone book in case you need to find it again.

FYI - if you need the NHMP and cant get them on VHF, do -not- dial 911 on your cell phone and request to be transferred. Use your directory assistance service and ask them to connect you. this will take a couple minutes and cost you a dollar but I still think it's best.

My story... One night before I had my VHF I had a situation on the lake and called 911. The Sherriff's operator insisted on getting all the details so she could pass it along to the NHMP if I lost the signal. It took 10 minuted before she would forward the call.

Good luck everyone!

[Silver Duck]

In addition to TowBoat US, there is also a Sea Tow franchise on the lake. Their number is 603-279-2203.

Silver Duck

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Kamper

"...But fear of lawsuits, boat damage and general idiots has dampened the helpful spirit of the good samaritan..."

Still, you can't allow folks to drift by—headed for a rocky shore.

My "modern" problem is that boats have become too large to tow and, being too large, will venture into weather I won't endanger myself to affect a rescue.

Originally Posted by Kamper

My story... One night before I had my VHF I had a situation on the lake and called 911. The Sherriff's operator insisted on getting all the details so she could pass it along to the NHMP if I lost the signal. It took 10 minuted before she would forward the call.

My story...Called the MPs regarding four singing drunks, ½-mile off shore, in an unlighted canoe—in the wee hours. Called the MPs? Yup...I'm a party-pooper.

No answer!

Figuring that at least the hour should be documented, I called the local Town PD—including the rental address they were most likely returning to.

I told the dispatcher, "Don't call me back, and don't come to my address".

Twenty minutes later, the dispatcher called back to say, "We can't find the singing drunks in a canoe, and the officer can't find your house."


Even during "high season", the MP's don't answer late at night?!?!?!

Originally Posted by Kamper

NH Marine Patrol, Glendale. 603-293-2037. Found in the front of any NH phone book in case you need to find it again.

Also toll-free at (877) 642-9700.

[Weekend Pundit]

Frankly, it's usually easier to use a VHF Marine radio, and you're more likely to find someone else on frequency that can help you in a pinch. A VHF handheld can be had for about $100 and can cover a pretty large area.

A cell phone can be virtually useless. If you see another boat and you need assistance, you're more likely to raise them on VHF 16....unless you happen to know their cell number!

For breakdowns I use TowBoat US.

A side story: Last year I lost the screw on my 20' cuddy runabout between Governor's Island and Dockham Shore. A call on channel 16 to TowBoat US had them on their way in a few minutes. I gave them my location as well as a direct route to me ("After crossing under the Governor's Island bridge take a heading of 150 magnetic. I'm approximately 1500 yards out on that heading.") Once the Tow Boat US tow vessel arrived the skipper told me that I was one of the few assistance calls he'd ever had that was able to give him an exact location. He didn't need to go looking for me.

The lesson? Make sure you know where you are when you're calling for assistance, whether you calling on VHF or a cell phone! I've listened to many assistance calls on the scanner while at home and too many of the folks calling for help had no idea where they were, or were too vague about their position.

[pmj]

"The lesson? Make sure you know where you are when you're calling for assistance, whether you calling on VHF or a cell phone! I've listened to many assistance calls on the scanner while at home and too many of the folks calling for help had no idea where they were, or were too vague about their position."

This is when a GPS comes in handy..know your coordinates and give them to the MP or boat towing service and they should be able to find you easier. you don't need anything fancy. A handheld GPS works well for this.

[tis]

We have towed many boats in our lifetime but for the reasons stated, really don't like to get involved any more. Isn't that a sad commentary on our society? Course we wouldn't let someone crash into the rocks, or if they were in danger in any way, we would take care of that. But most boaters are ok, you just don't know. A couple of years ago someone was stranded by Rattlesnake and asked us to call someone for them as they didn't have a phone. So we called the Wolf. Cor. Yacht Club for them. They were fine, just waiting for the WCYC people to come. So we left. I found out afterward from the WCYC people that when they got out there, the people had left. They had apparently gotten their boat started and didn't bother to wait around and pay for the yacht club to come out. I felt really bad.

[jrc]

Reading the stories about being found when you break down make me think that flares might be a good idea. I know are not required to have then on the lake, but they can't hurt.

When our u-joint broke, I called the main Boat Us 800 number by cell phone, they had the local Gilford guy call me back. I told them him I was adrift in the broads between Welch and Rattlesnake. Well that really didn't narrow it down. No flares and no GPS, so he said stand up and wave a towel. I can envision situations where a flare would be better. I'm going to buy some.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by jrc

Reading the stories about being found when you break down make me think that flares might be a good idea. I know are not required to have then on the lake, but they can't hurt.

I can envision situations where a flare would be better. I'm going to buy some.

I carry them, even when not on the ocean. Be careful though, displaying one for a breakdown could be illegal, depending on the situation.


I think the law is:

It is prohibited to display visual distress signals on the water except when assistance is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to persons onboard a vessel.

[Misty Blue]

DPG, good subject!

Here are some thoughts on the subject.

1. If you come across a vessel in "distress" you are REQUIRED to render assistance as long as it does not endanger you or your vessel. The two key words here are "distress "and "endanger". This puts a judgment call on the assisting vessel. What determines distress? I would say that three guys with a cooler out of gas and anchored in Braun Bay does not make "distress". A family with kids konked out in the broads, probably.

Now "endanger". If I saw a boat on fire with people on board I would smash fiberglass and risk the Misty to help. I wouldn't be so quick if I had the kids on board. Get it, Your call.

2. Know what you are doing. It's OK to run out and tow your neighbor a couple hundred yards back to his dock on a nice day but towing is serious buisness. It takes years to qualify to do so in the CG. There are issues of towing speed, towing hawser (line) both type and length, deck hardware and boat handling skills. A nylon towing line will strech 40% before it snaps like a bungie cord or if the cleat on either boat comes off it flies like a missle. People die from this. Serious towing is for trained professionals.

3. Location!!! The first step of a search and rescue (SAR) is to determine the exact location. This is before you ask what the trouble is or how many people on board. You can't do anything without a location. That said, jrc, flares are great! On a moonless night finding a boat in the broads is tough and anything that you can do to help is a good idea. Remember you are paying the towing company by the hour so speed it up if you can.

GPS is great! Given the coordinates a towing company can usually get to you in under 30 minutes. As for the MP, I have had more than one person tell me that they gave the coordinates to the MP and they didn't know what to do with them. Maybe they have impeoved since then.

Just some thoughts from a guy who spends too much time alone in a boat.

Misty Blue.

[jrc]

Originally Posted by Dave R

I carry them, even when not on the ocean. Be careful though, displaying one for a breakdown could be illegal, depending on the situation.


I think the law is:

It is prohibited to display visual distress signals on the water except when assistance is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to persons onboard a vessel.

I'm splitting hairs but, that's a Coast Guard law, I can't find a NH law on topic.

Second, doesn't being adrift a mile from shore with no propulsion, meet the test of "potential danger"? Can you only use flares while actually sinking?

I'm not planning on using these a 4th of July fireworks

[jrc]

Originally Posted by Misty Blue

...If you come across a vessel in "distress" you are REQUIRED to render assistance as long as it does not endanger you or your vessel...

Assistance doesn't mean you have to tow them. You have to help keep them from harm, any more is up to you. The times I've towed people, it was to the nearest safe port, a public dock or a marina.

Lately my most useful assistance tool has been the portable jump starter. A lot of people run down their batteries while at anchor.

[Misty Blue]

Oddly enough, waving your hands is a recognized visual distress signal (VDS) in accordance with the international navigation rules. Get this. It is also a valid VDS to set a fire in a bucket on your deck!

A good signal on the lake is to wave an orange PFD with a boathook. It is a real attention graber.

Misty Blue.

[NHskier]

Seconding the orange PFD recommendation - I had a vessel safety check done on Saturday by Lakes Region Power Squadron and the inspectors noted that was a good tactic to use.

NHskier

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by jrc

I'm splitting hairs but, that's a Coast Guard law, I can't find a NH law on topic.

Second, doesn't being adrift a mile from shore with no propulsion, meet the test of "potential danger"? Can you only use flares while actually sinking?

I'm not planning on using these a 4th of July fireworks

I am not sure. That's why I said it "could" be illegal. I cannot imagine MP getting upset by someone in a boat without power using a flare but then again, I cannot imagine MP hassling boats because of thier brand name either, and apparently that's happening...

[Kamper]

I think the white flares are for non-emergency signal purposes. I think the shotgun shell flares packs have one white and two or three red. Even though they arent mandated on the lake I have some pen-flares and hand-helds but (I'm embarased to admit) they are out of date.

In the above situation the white one would probably be the most appropriate. Also, an anouncement over the VHF to let everyone know the situation is being handled might be a good idea. The tow captain could make the broadcast if neccessary.

A spotlight might be adequate if you know which direction the recovery vessel is coming from. If you have a Boy Scout onboard you could borow his signal mirror.... (lol.) Lashing that towel to a paddle or boat hook might help.

Just my two cents.

[Mee-n-Mac]

Originally Posted by jrc

Reading the stories about being found when you break down make me think that flares might be a good idea. I know are not required to have then on the lake, but they can't hurt.

By flares I hope you mean aerial or meteor flares. I wouldn't use the "roadside" type while on a fiberglass boat full of gas. Now the former may likely be mistaken for some fireworks, especially this time of year, but I'd rather that than set the boat on fire. I guess you could duck tape one of the fire spewers onto the end of a boathook and hold it waaaay overboard though, that might work and be safe enough.



You do have duck tape on board ...don't you ?

[Misty Blue]

Let's start out by saying that the US Power Squadrons do an awsome job.

My favorite flares are the Day/Night hand held type. They put out lots of light at night and smoke that can be seen during the day and they have a 6 minute burn time. The pyrotechnic flares can only be seen for about 6 seconds and are much easier to see at night than during the day.

I am not a fan of pyrotechnic flares on private boats. When I inspect a boat I remind the owner that when he has that 12 GA. flare gun on his boat he has just that, a gun on the boat. Where there are boats there are often kids.
It's an issue that has to be thought of.

The pencil flares are much brughter and go higher than the ORION 12 Ga. flares. They are a more powerful gun and don't even look like a gun! It would be very easy to pull that chain in the wrong direction and have it go off in your face.

I know that you guys and gals are competent and can handle these critters safely but I worry about kids and your "know it all" brother in law.

Just my $.02

Misty Blue