Towing assistance provides help for breakdowns and light groundings. The far more expensive salvage claims are covered only by yacht insurance policies.
As millions of recreational boat owners get ready to launch their vessels this season, knowing the difference between towing and salvage could save them boatloads of money should they need help on the water.
Historically and legally, salvage is any voluntary and successful rescue of a boat, its cargo and/or its passengers from a peril at sea. Salvage often results in a "demand" for a percentage of the boat's post-casualty value - sometimes a considerable amount of money. Towing costs much less and is billed by the hour, averaging $160 per hour.
Since the same marine assistance company often provides both towing and salvage services, it is essential that the boat owner reach an understanding with the marine assistance provider before action is taken.
Towing Service Providers should inform the captain of a boat before beginning any work if the procedure is salvage, not towing. If this isn't possible due to wind and sea conditions, the towing company should tell the captain as soon as possible.
However, boaters should not assume they will always be told. Boaters should always ask whether the job is towing or salvage before they accept a tow. If the answer is "salvage," the boater should ask if the company - or "salvor" - will give a fixed price or one based on time and materials before beginning the job. If so, get the price in writing or, if an oral agreement, try to have someone witness it.
If the salvor wants to do the job first and says he does not know what the cost will be but will make a salvage claim afterwards, the final charge will be decided one of two ways: negotiation with the boater's insurance company; binding arbitration (a variety of forums exist) or - rarely - through litigation in federal admiralty courts.
If the salvor does not give a price before doing the job, As long as the situation is not dangerous and not deteriorating, boaters should feel free to look for another company by radio or by calling your insurance company.
Marine assistance companies must agree that Towing/Ungrounding is any operation not involving immediate danger to the boat or to a legally protected marine environment. It requires just one towing vessel with lines attached to a grounded boat to refloat it or to the disabled boat to tow it. If a grounded boat can rest without peril until the tide returns to float her free, or a boat is drifting in calm conditions after losing power, it almost always calls for towing, not salvage.
Salvage, on the other hand, involves imminent peril to a grounded, sinking or stranded boat or to a protected marine environment, or the use of more than one towing vessel and/or special salvage equipment such as air bags or high capacity pumps.
Boaters should review their boat insurance coverage. "The best protection against a salvage bill is adequate insurance," he said, noting that boaters should make sure their policy provides for salvage up to the full value of the boat, not a percentage of its value, and that there is no deductible for salvage costs.
Finally, even though the U.S. Coast Guard no longer tows recreational boats unless it's a life-threatening situation, they will help boaters contact commercial assistance and stand by on the radio to make sure they get that help.
