Operating a tow business

Channel Ribs · 04 July 2011, 16:25

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 · 04 July 2011, 16:55

Jet drives are good for towing

Channel Ribs · 04 July 2011, 17:04

Quote:

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 · 04 July 2011, 21:30

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 · 04 July 2011, 22:12

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 · 05 July 2011, 07:45

Quote:

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?

Quote:

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 · 05 July 2011, 22:19

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 · 06 July 2011, 06:55

Thanks Ian, sounds very fair.

C-NUMB · 07 July 2011, 22:08

"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 · 08 July 2011, 12:02

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

chewy · 08 July 2011, 21:01

[QUOTE=Ian Austin;409384]
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.QUOTE]

Have the RNLI started charging for towing?

Rokraider · 08 July 2011, 23:08

I was under the impression that the RNLI do not charge for a tow, rather rely on a voluntary donation. This is one of the problems for commercial operators when they raise the issue of cost, a lot of people will wait for a freebie.

Channel Ribs · 09 July 2011, 07:27

In my experience the decision is made by the Coastguard receiving the call, if there is an alternative to a lifeboat and it seems appropriate then they might offer a commercial tow.

Or as Erin said, put out an all ships request for a good samaritan.

Here though it is either the lifeboat, or the pilot boat skippered by a lifeboat crewman. Commercial tows would never be considered.

Poly · 09 July 2011, 15:20

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

Here though it is either the lifeboat, or the pilot boat skippered by a lifeboat crewman. Commercial tows would never be considered.

Why is that? Is it because the punter's wouldn't pay up or is it just assumed that you are not up to the job? I can't see why a really professional towing set up would be less attractive to the CG than the lifeboat. Obviously you would want to build up that relationship that they felt confident calling you out. Personally I'd rather pay a pro than have the embarrassment of a lifeboat for something trivial - I guess that is the whole raison d'etre for Sea Start; although they also offer some simple repairs.

I'd have though a first port of call would be Sea Start to see how their "partnerships" work, like Ian Austins. That way you have all the numpties from the solent as potential towees!

There was a post from a towing operation up this way not so long ago which got quarantined whilst the OP was referred to the trade membership page - but I'll see if I can find his username for you later this eve. He is a totally independent commercial operation as I understand it.

Poly · 09 July 2011, 17:01

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

There was a post from a towing operation up this way not so long ago which got quarantined whilst the OP was referred to the trade membership page - but I'll see if I can find his username for you later this eve. He is a totally independent commercial operation as I understand it.

Username is CSR - who are Clyde Sea Recovery: Clyde Sea Recovery - Home - Clyde Sea Recovery Marine Breakdown Assistance Lorn Campbell

Channel Ribs · 10 July 2011, 06:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Why is that? Is it because the punter's wouldn't pay up or is it just assumed that you are not up to the job?

The local Coasties consider the seas around the island to be too tricky for anything less than an all weather lifeboat, we do not even have an ILB any more.

Thanks for the link

Edit: 350 pounds for unlimited callouts or 150 an hour for non members, interesting!

Poly · 10 July 2011, 19:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Channel Ribs

The local Coasties consider the seas around the island to be too tricky for anything less than an all weather lifeboat, we do not even have an ILB any more.

Ah I see, in that case (and I guess many of the likely towees are reasonable sized yachts?) then you probably want to discuss the spec for a boat with the CG before buying. Perhaps an 11m Redbay or Parker cabin rib suitably equipped with big gutsy diesels would tickle their fancy (although you might need to do a lot of towing to pay for it!). Alternatively do they see enough "silly" issues e.g. out of fuel, delivery of diver to fouled prop etc that there is a niche for you in the "non-towing" work?

Channel Ribs · 10 July 2011, 19:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polwart

Ah I see, in that case (and I guess many of the likely towees are reasonable sized yachts?) then you probably want to discuss the spec for a boat with the CG before buying.

Na, they have good reasons for limiting things to the big boats and as you say no one is going to want an on-call cost to suit. My question really relates to the other islands, but more tow businesses in general.

williamptrs · 23 July 2011, 08:16

My boat was designed as a SAR vessel for the Canadian CCG, small craft towing was a part of the SAR duties. Log onto

Canadian Coast Guard SAR Station Port Weller stands watch over Western Lake Ontario and view the two towing posts

Since purchasing the vessel (2 years back) she has been laid up. I work overseas and find it difficult to run the vessel and concentrate on my work, but I'm due to start a contract 28day's on and 28 day's leave....this situation will give me more opportunity for the commercial side of things.

Dave Rogers of (Ambient Marine 07989410555) has been looking after the vessel and there has been many improvements made since having the vessel in our possession. (Dave specialises in Electronics etc.)
We are fortunate to have a spare tube for the boat, which is with Chris Chadwick of SIT for refurbishment

The tube weighs nearly a tonne and there are not many companies around that could deal with the load!

So if you want a vessel for towing, then you should contact Dave Rogers.

mdekkers · 27 July 2011, 11:54

Hi all,

I must say that I am surprised at the lack of options to having a boat towed. I need my boat towed from Chichester to port solent,and have been ringing around for weeks trying to find somebody to do that work. Pretty desperate for that as well, as Chichester harbour have informed me they are about to start charging me an exorbitant amount of money if I don't get the boat moved soon.

Spoke with Frank of Hayling rescue and he informed me that he is "booked for the next two years"

So surprised, I am in fact considering if towing would be a viable business to get into.

In the meantime, if anybody around wants to make some good quick cash....