Fletcher500
Guru
Good discussion. Its important to know how to handle these situations, so thank you to the people who have had first hand experience, and sharing their stories with us. I definitely picked up some good pointers.
.There are two different issues. You're talking about the procedure for making a salvage claim. That differs from salvage towing for an owner.
We've been told by Tow BoatUs even though we have unlimited gold towing that any tow that involves engine trouble, taking on water, grounding or fire will always be considered salvage and will not be paid for at all and will always result in a bill of many thousands of dollars.
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In the OP's case, there are three separate actions: Dewatering the boat, towing to the yard, and haul. If the boat was actively flooding, then the pumping is definitely worthy of a salvage claim. If the flooding was stopped, then the tow was just a regular tow. If the flooding was still active and the boat hauled to avoid further flooding, the tow and haul could be claimed as part of the salvage.
My point in entering this conversation is that in my experience, try to negotiate a scope of service and a price before the potential salvor does anything. Might not be appropriate if you are drifting toward rocks in a storm, but it is appropriate if you have some water in your bilge and need a pump out.
It is my understanding that in the case of a salvage the salvor must perform some 'due diligence' in advising the owner/operator of the vessel that he is engaging in a salvage prior to the salvage, if the boat is occupied.
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I'm an insurance agent and in my experience money is always an issue. .