Nobody wants to find themselves far from shore when their boat stalls, only to discover there isn’t a professional towing boat around, necessitating a call out to other boaters for help with a tow. What happens when you’re the one on the receiving end of the call for help? If something goes wrong, would your OC boat insurance cover any damages? As you weigh your options, it is critical to think through all potential outcomes. Here are a few tips for towing a boat safely.

Know Your Boat’s Limitations

Before you agree to tow, know your boat’s limitations. Professional towing vessels have cleats and lines that won’t stretch nearly as much as nylon lines, and they’re affixed to the boat with hardware that can handle the extra weight on the lines. You may be able to use a strong anchor line in combination with dock lines that serve as a bridle, but make sure you take it slow, turning your bow no more than 20 degrees at a time.

Consider Safety on Approach

When you approach the stranded vessel, take the time to assess the situation and make a plan. Communicate that plan to everyone, including those on your boat. If you determine at that time that the situation isn’t safe for you to tow, you can always wait with the stranded boaters while they place an emergency or nonemergency call into the Coast Guard to make sure help arrives. Should you go ahead with the tow, keep your distance while the tow lines are attached and take up the slack slowly and carefully.

Use Caution When Underway

Prepare for a long journey. It could take you hours to go even a short distance, as you will likely not be able to go any faster than six miles per hour. While underway:

• Keep the towed vessel between 100 and 150 feet behind you
• Take wide turns to accommodate the shorter turning arc of the towed boat
• Keep in mind that the other vessel will not stop when you do
• Watch out for boat traffic, which may not slow down or change course for you

If you are towing at the end of the day, make sure you have adequate provisions, including extra clothing layers, to make a journey that could take you past sunset.

Think Through to the End

Even if your boat — and you — can handle the stress of the tow, think about the end game. You need to get the towed vessel safely into the harbor. That’s the most challenging part of the process in terms of navigation, even for the towing professionals. It may be necessary to tow the boat into the dock by hand.

If you decide to help out a stranded boater in need, you should be prepared to change your mind at any time during the process. The safety of all involved could depend on you knowing when you or your boat have reached the limits of what is possible.

About Mariners Insurance 

Mariners General Insurance Group was founded in 1959 to protect boat owners and marine business clients. We are marine insurance experts and insure boats worldwide – in every ocean on the planet. Marine insurance is critical if you own a boat or nautical business. Trust the professionals with all of your Boat Insurance needs – trust Mariners Insurance. Call us at (888) 402-5018 any time you have questions or concerns about insurance for your vessel or marine business.