Operating a tow business

[Channel Ribs]

Do any of the fellow commercial chaps and chapesses on here offer a tow service, either as part of the Seastart network or as another marine recovery service?

I know Frank and Hayling Rescue's operation, but would welcome any info from others.

Just thinking about the steady stream of calls that come in around this time of year, particularly where the CG really do not want to send a lifeboat out to someone who is safely drifting having run out of fuel etc. So it might be something that influences the next choice of boat.

Thanks

[martini]

Jet drives are good for towing

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by martini

Jet drives are good for towing

Jet drives are great for everything

Anyway... The Coasties in Alderney would always send the lifeboat, the conditions here are too ferocious for a non RNLI operation to be called in. But from what I can tell the other two Channel Islands Coastguards would benefit?

[Erin]

Not sure really. They just do an 'all ships' and ask for anyone in the area to assist. If you were listening on your vhf this morning you would have heard us respond to the CG's request to take a look at a boat reported to be on fire just east of the Ecrehoe's. It disappointingly turned out to be a badly maintained French fishing boat, pumping more fumes and smoke out its exhaust than the impot on 'burn' day.

[Ian Austin]

Hi, i do work for Sea Start and that sometimes calls for me to tow into a marina or on to a mooring, i also get calls from people that have phoned the marina's for help and they pass on my number, best tow boat in my opinion was my Pacific 22, why did i sell it

[Channel Ribs]

Originally Posted by Erin

They just do an 'all ships' and ask for anyone in the area to assist.

People do not always respond though, and are there also occasions when skippers do not want to bother the CG or LB?

Originally Posted by Ian Austin

I do work for Sea Start and that sometimes calls for me to tow into a marina or on to a mooring, i also get calls from people that have phoned the marina's for help and they pass on my number.

Thanks Ian, do you find it worth you while? Obviously no one wants to be fleeced for a tow, but then again you don't want to spend hours of an otherwise productive day.

[Ian Austin]

I don't want to fleece anyone, but if i drive to my boat from home and back that takes about an hour, fuel to go and then tow them in, the time to them and get back to the berth, then there is the mooring fees, maintanance of your boat, insurance, do i need to go on.

I give a price up front and they have a choice, if they call the lifeboat it could cost them more if it is non life threatening.

As you said, you dont want to spend hours going to rescue someone and getting less money than staying where you are finishing the job you were already doing.

[Channel Ribs]

Thanks Ian, sounds very fair.

[C-NUMB]

"slightly" off topic but over here local substitute to RNLI charges 160 eur/ hour for none critical assistance like towage, rescue operations are for free. For members its much cheaper.
In most case covered by insurance co I guess. Think the price is fair, and wont even cover running cost on bigger vessels.

[Pub RIB]

Hi,
I brought Ian's Pacific 22 (Lovely boat Ian! )and have her coded working out of Yarmouth IOW . I have done and can do towing jobs. But if its urgent call the coast guard.
Now if you want a nice boat ride
Phone "The King's Head", Yarmouth IOW. Bring your own sunshine!

Tim Anderson