Maybe we need to

Posted by Charlie Jones on Jun 3, 2007

define tow boat here.

I wasn't talking about a "for hire" towing company such as Towboat US. Those are a whole 'nother kettle of fish.

I was talking about the captains of the tow boats pushing barges up and down the ICW and various rivers. Guys who work on that water every day. Most of the men who work "between the levers" are real professional seamen and don't operate as a money making outfit when they assist boats in trouble- they do it because they are seamen and know that one day THEY may be the one receieving the help.

I used to work as a deck hand on one of the salvage/towing boats down in the keys. But the boat I worked on ONLY went out when the skipper understood that he was accepting commercial assistance, for a fee, arranged for by the Coast Guard. And we carefully explained those fees before we ever put a line across. I'm very sure there are some unscrupulous operators out there, sad to say.

And by the way, I don't belong to BoatUS. I don't see any real value in the membership.

In Response to: Re: come now by Kim on Jun 2, 2007

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