Nav wrote:
Just a couple of thoughts. Here it is a part of the responsability of
all masters to go to the aid of stricken _vessels_ -i.e. whether they
have people on board is irrelevant. The only excuse not to is where
your crew or vessel would be placed in danger by providing aid -it
doesnt sound as if that was the case but it was your call....


I can't believe that any maritime law requires "aid to stricken vessels"
as the obligation is to save human life where possible.


otnmbrd wrote:
46 U.S.C. sect 2304
(a) A Master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance
to any "INDIVIDUAL" (my emphasis) found at sea in danger of being lost,
so far as the Master or individual in charge can do so without serious
danger to the Master's or individual's vessel or individuals on board.

He had no responsibility to the boat, other than the responsibility he
took to inform the USCG. Upon receipt of the call, the CG should have
initiated a "securite" or "pan", depending on their perception of events
..... course, it would also have been fine if the caller sent a securite.
Naturally, if there is any doubt as to someone being aboard, and in the
spirit of how we should act, it is always well looked upon when someone
tries to save a boat, people or no people aboard.
G FWIW, I'd say he did fine.

Yes, look at the number of sailors that have been rescued off yachts in
distress, and left the boat. No legal repercussions there, eh? It would
be stupid to expect a private yacht to save a cargo vessel yet it has
occured many times that yachts have rescued people. Then there are
stories about people going to extreme measures to save dogs... one of
those last year IIRC near Hawaii.

I've pulled people out of the water a few times, and in all but one case
it was because of a small boat accident where the boat was no great
difficulty to bring along. But it is absolutely not a legal obligation
to save the boat, just the people.

Fresh Breezes- Doug King