"Jack Redington" wrote in message
...
D-unit wrote:
After getting drenched in a heavy downpour last week and on my way
home, I notice a fellow off to the side of the ICW *walking* his boat
up the waterway. He waves and appears to be in distress so I turn
around to see what's up.

Turns out,

His battery is dead. I hand over my battery booster which doesn't help
much. (Im wondering if I shouldn't have bought a larger one) He then
asks me to tow him to the wildlife ramp. (approx. 3-4 miles)
to which I reluctantly replied ok. He said a couple other guys had
stopped
but refused to give him a tow. I have never had to tow anyone but was
willing to help the guy out.

I did irk me that he had no back up of any kind. i.e. extra battery,
paddle.
battery booster.

When we got to the ramp, he offered no *thank you* but a "what do I owe
you"?
A thank you would have sufficed, I guess that's what he meant.

Afterwards, I starting thinking about what my obligations are in similar
situations.

I think Im only legally obligated to lend assistance only if it is a dire
situation or
someone is hurt. Maybe someone could clear this up.




I am sure someone will chime in with the "obligations stuff". Anyway I
have never left anyone stranded. And have never accepted any money in
return. We have have a few outings interrupted. But not that many. I
think I have towed maybe three boats in the last ten years.

There was one guy I was about ready to cut lose after he told me his
starter had been going out of over a year. It was going to be a long tow
as well. Apparently the starter cooled enought to fire it up just after
this little fact was presented to me :-)

Capt Jack R..


Years ago, I was in my 14' skiff, and a guy grounds on the dredging spoils
for San Leandro harbor channel. I manage to get this about 30' boat off the
mud. Left him after he again runs out of the well marked channel, pilings
all along the channel, and grounds again. He needed a lesson and could
contemplate where he screwed up while waiting for high tide.