I grew up in a Coast Guard Auxiliary boating family which performed
many patrols in the SF Bay Area during the fifties and sixties. My dad,
the skipper, (a veteran Coastie too...) always insisted that the boat to be
assisted pass their line to us. He explained that the onus for liability,
should any damage occur, would be with the vessel asking for assistance.
Dave Fase

"Capt John" wrote in message
oups.com...
I would let them throw me the line. Their are some implications as to
who is responsible should any damage occur as a result of the tow. As
far as someone claiming salvage, if the boat was not in danger of
sinking and creating a dangerous situation, I wouldn't worry about it,
give the claim to your insurance company. They'll throw it out for you.