Sport Today

by **Hanumant Sin** » Thu, 11 Jun 1992 00:33:37

I saw someone being rescued by the coast guard on thursday. He
told us later that his universal broke. I guess he was lucky to be able
to wave down the Martha's Vineyard ferry who radioed the CG. The CG
(who were out there in a couple of minutes, by the way) on rescuing him
told him, "Mechanical failures are not your fault."

Question: What are the guidelines the CG uses in for their rescues i.e.
can they charge you and if so under what circumstances ?

Hanu

PS. M***of the story: If you do happen to get rescued by the CG, as a result
of your own stupidity, jettison the cheapest critical component you can find
and yell mechanical failure :-) ! Though it is definitely preferable to sail
conservatively, know your limits, and never let this happen !

by **Kirk Lindstr** » Fri, 12 Jun 1992 01:57:48

Quote:

>......... "Mechanical failures are not your fault."

The Coast Guard may say so, but most mechanical failures are due to the lack
of proper maintaince. Replacing worn uni's is a well known thing to do.

Kirk (still waiting for the tendon for my Streamlined uni' to be returned as
they'd supposidly never seen one break and yet I brought one in that was
broken part-way through. One or two good jumps/poor landings and I'd have
been 3 miles out....... Good thing I inspect it fairly regularly) out

by **Peter C. McClusk** » Sat, 13 Jun 1992 07:42:26

|>
|> Question: What are the guidelines the CG uses in for their rescues i.e.
|> can they charge you and if so under what circumstances ?
|>
Last I heard they can't charge you. About 5 or 10 years ago there was some talk
about legislation allowing them to charge for some rescues, mainly the morons in
motorboats who run out of gas, but I think it died because the boat owners objected
much louder than any taxpayers who would benefit.

- Peter

by **Drew Jenki** » Sun, 14 Jun 1992 00:24:16

Quote:

>|>
>|> Question: What are the guidelines the CG uses in for their rescues i.e.
>|> can they charge you and if so under what circumstances ?
>|>
>Last I heard they can't charge you. About 5 or 10 years ago there was some
>talk about legislation allowing them to charge for some rescues, mainly the
>morons in motorboats who run out of gas, but I think it died because the
>boat owners objected much louder than any taxpayers who would benefit.

> - Peter

If you call the Coast Guard requesting a rescue because you are out of
gas, they will only rescue you if you are in danger of life or limb.
Otherwise, they refer you to a marine tow service.

If you live in an area where there are many pleasure craft, you can
listen to the chatter on VHF channel 16. You will hear of some
"stinkpot" owner running out of gas at least once a weekend.
Typically, the guy calls the CG and says "Hey, come get me, I'm out of
gas." The CG says "Is anyone on board injured, or is the boat in
distress?" When the guy responds in the negative, the CG gives the
name of tow companies in the area. Rarely does a sailboat owner call
for help.

--
Drew Jenkins "Attitude is Everything"

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