"wgander" wrote in message
news:MUyFd.37$ru.11@fed1read07...
I never had the patience to follow a thread this long before. I'll probably
never do it again.
Only two posters attempted to answer the question:
BB pointed out that who handed who a line may be a point in salvage
questions and liability issues;
DSK pointed out that it depends.
Thanks to both of them for their answers.



"Paul Schilter" wrote in message
...
Is it more prudent for you to give your line over to a boat you're going
to tow or take his line?
Paul



According to LaMontagne, to help in most situations, you should do the
following if you encounter a vessel in trouble, hear a radio distress call
or respond to a visual-distress signal:

.. help the boater contact assistance via VHF radio or cellular phone and
provide authorities with a description of the vessel, number of people
aboard and location;

.. if they haven't already done so, remind the other boaters to follow basic
emergency safety procedures such as setting their anchor and having
everybody onboard don lifejackets, and

.. stand by the vessel until help arrives; if the other vessel has a VHF
radio, standing a radio watch - remaining in regular radio contact with the
stranded vessel - usually fulfills this part of your obligation.

Limiting your involvement to these three courses of action is the prudent
thing to do in most "routine" encounters - breakdowns, out of gas,
entanglements with trap lines, etc.

"Of course, there will be times when the situation dictates doing more, such
as during true on-water emergencies," added LaMontagne.

While every situation is unique, VAAA offers these examples of things in
which you generally don't want to get involved when assisting another
boater:

.. taking another vessel under tow - without the proper knowledge and
equipment, this is dangerous to people and property;

.. siphoning fuel from your vessel into another - due to the personal health
risk and the risk of fire and explosion,

.. jump-starting another vessel with dead batteries - improper use by either
party carries a risk of fire or damage, or

.. boarding another vessel to perform mechanical repairs - this is both
dangerous and a liability minefield.

Experienced mariners recognize that the Good Samaritan defense is just
that - a defense. It doesn't prevent boaters from being sued or eliminate
the cost and hassles of defending yourself.

"At the same time, it's important for mariners to maintain a helpful spirit,
and provide a safety net out there on the water. The best way to do that for
both parties (in the majority of non-emergency cases) is to help get trained
professionals on scene as soon as possible," said LaMontagne



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