I sailed with a 1st who was a logger before he started sailing and he still did some on vacation. Anyway he was real passionate about it. He wasn’t all about clear cutting and level the forest. He really wanted to preserve the the trees and only use what was needed.
And, of course I am not casting aspersions on those of us who do partake of the odd sip of fine Kentucky whisky from time to time. . . .
[QUOTE=cmakin;96432] Swamp People? I watched the first season. I’m sorry, I work in southern Louisiana too much to enjoy that show.[/QUOTE]
I have to admit the one or two times I watched this, I was rooting for the alligators.
[QUOTE=Kennebec Captain;96497]When my son was picking a school I told him he should either go to Maine Maritime and get his license or the University of Maine and study forestry. He asked me if working in the woods or going to sea were the only two things I knew about. I told him I was aware that there were other professions. He’s at Maine Maritime. He said there were too many bugs in the woods.
K.C.[/QUOTE]
Funny - TRUE - but funny ~
I got an old shipmate who invited me on a fishing trip near his Maine log cabin, oh back in the early 80’s. I asked, WTF are these little critters, “just black fies, not to worry, they don’t eat much.” My reply, are you talking about just one, looks like a zillion of’em? “Au shut-up and fish,” he commanded. Great fishing though! Easy river to remember the name, if your fish, up in the northern region.
[QUOTE=cmakin;96504]And, of course I am not casting aspersions on those of us who do partake of the odd sip of fine Kentucky whisky from time to time. . . .[/QUOTE]
Well you just sit yourself down and relax, I got some stories to tell ya, Now did I ever mention, Oh, first here’s the jug, help yourself.
Now then, back in ~~~~~
I’m pretty sure one of the ‘kids’ on the show failed out of Schuyler. I’ll let you know when I see it.
I just watched some of this show and I really want to work for Arnold Towing. Maybe I can run their “big” boat.
[QUOTE=MariaW;96419]Forgive my ignorance in all things salvage. Something I don’t understand about this show, and of course they don’t explain - how is towing a boat considered salvage? They had a few tows in there that cost thousands of dollars, and the first one there gets the job? Who made up those rules? If I call a specific company to tow my boat, I’m not going to accept some other guy coming along. Why were the tows so costly? I had to call for a tow once on a 26 ft boat, and it only would have cost a few hundred dollars. (I had SeaTow so didn’t have to pay for it) In the first show of the series, they have a guy trying to put out a fire consuming a yacht. He says if he puts it out before it sinks, he’ll get $20K. Why? The thing was completely destroyed. Who pays the $20K ?
Cleaning wrecks off the bottom of the Keys paid $1K per boat and they said the gov’t pays that. Seems much more reasonable and much harder work for the money.[/QUOTE]
In the show the boats aren’t calling a specific company, they are putting out a distress call and these companies monitor the channel a race to get there first. As far as cost, if I had a multi million dollar boat 20k is a drop in the bucket, so I guess its what the market pays.
Has one turned a television on lately and counted how many “reality” based tv programs are on? All the more reason I don’t partake in the cable television scheme. For instance, one can hope to find something “educational” or useful on none other than TLC ( The Learning Channel), yet you will be greeted by nothing but reality, much of it over edited and poorly produced, Honey Boo-boo, need I say more? The reality of it all is this is the demise of anything intellectual or factual in our society as we know it. And we wonder why we are surrounded by so many morons and jackasses, politicians included.
Okay, I just saw the teaser for “Southie Rules.” I need EYE BLEACH
Allow me to add my two cents… I’ve watched that Great Lakes Tug Show and today I watched the Shipwreck show. I also saw the yacht on fire and the kid going in and coming out of the engine-room fire yacht gagging & coughing… WTF? That was enough for me.
Way too much poor decision making, too many lapses in safety, and way too much drama. The editors have managed to put in so much drama when it wasn’t and isn’t necessary, that it felt like being with my first wife all over again.
I was embarrassed for the reality show mariners and felt sorry for myself, thinking people I know may watch these shows and think all professional mariners are like these men. Arrghhh!
The boat that was on fire was burned beyond recognition. It was a complete cinder. Why would anyone pay 20K if he puts out the fire “before it sinks”.
Sorry this is so long. I guess I’ve got a lot to say about the subject!
Haven’t seen the show yet, but as the owner of a Sea Tow franchise I did live the life for almost 10 years. Most of the people I knew and know in the business are consummate professionals who do a dangerous job safely and preserve lives and property on a regular basis. Most of the work is boring but drama can happen at anytime.
Professional level training is sadly lacking in this industry. Most have 100GT licenses at a max along with a TWIC and CPR/First Aid cards and that’s it. Anything they have is from their own initiative or past lives rather than being required by the CG or industry “experts.” There is no such thing as “continuing education” other than “if you live, maybe you’ll learn.”
Salvage is a special creature in the law and not having seen the episode with the kid running into the ER of the yacht fire I can’t comment on that specific situation. I will say that there are regularly very big paydays for salvors for what appears to be a few minutes work. This can be hard for people to understand but it goes to the "public good’ aspect of the law. In short, the law has deemed that it is to the public’s benefit that professional salvors exist. Through their difficult and dangerous work they preserve massive amounts of property and coastline. If they did not exist it is more likely that the property would be lost and the coastline would be more polluted with the hulks of wrecks then it already is. Further, the cost of the equipment and maintaining the equipment at a 24/7 state of readiness is extremely expensive meaning the few times per year it is used has to pay for those costs. In general, insurers are happy to pay for the preservation of property and coastline because the alternative would be a much larger wreck removal, no salved property recovered, and massive fines for coastal clean up.
An example would be a 50’ charter fishing boat that I recovered from in the surf aground on the Columbia River Bar. The captain ran aground with 12 persons on board. Most were removed by the CG small boat with 2 recovered by airlift. The old wood boat was one of the last wooden charter fishing boats on the Columbia River. From grounding to penetration was just moments and it was later determined that the ribs were severely compromised by the boat’s age and lack of maintenance. The boats insured value before the sinking was about $50,000; after it was zero. The boat would shortly come apart in the surf but due to its construction it was still partially floating on a rising tide. A lack of action would have sent parts of the boat all over the sensitive crab fishing grounds including more than 400 gallons of diesel and about 50 gallons of motor oil, etc.
We got a towline onto the boat and half drug it to a protected cove about 1/2 mile inland (Social Security Beach for those familiar with the estuary). There, working with and against the tide, we spent a couple hours securing airbags and straps to the boat to keep it from coming apart and providing additional flotation. Once stabilized we towed the boat five miles to a haul out and secured on land.
Total time? About 3.5 hours. Total payday? $50,000. Value of the job to the insurer and owner? Imagine the level of cleanup required and costs involved had the boat be left to come apart.
Again, I can’t speak to the TV shows yacht fire, but simply allowing the wreck to sink is rarely an option in this day and age and has its own costs available to it. Additionally, investigators generally like to make sure that evidence is preserved rather than lost (scuttling does happen!) before approving a payout.
Couple of additional brief points. First, towing is towing and salvage is salvage. However, sometimes salvage includes towage. With small recreational boats a grounding is a low order salvage that is typically accomplished with nothing more than a good pull. Since it’s low order the cost is fixed ahead of time. It costs more than a tow, but not as much as a “pure” salvage. A tow that pulls a disabled vessel out of the path of an oncoming deep draft might well rise to the level of pure salvage. Confusing? Maybe. Who decides? The Captain of the salvage vessel that puts his boat, life, and business at risk. Who decides if he’s deserving? Any court of competent jurisdiction. Generally, it’s determined through a negotiation with the insurance company. The only time there’s real drama involved with the settlement is when the owner decries the actions of the salvor. The interesting thing about pure salvage is that the service is much more valuable before it’s performed then it is after.
Contracts for pure salvage are rare. You should have a form on your ship called an “open form” and I look to my insurer for guidance on these (there are hundreds of variations: Lloyds, MARSALV, BoatUS, Nippon, etc.). They are open because they can be executed in moments and even agreed to with a simple voice exchange: “Do you agree to sign a Lloyds Open Form for this work Captain?” “Yes.” If the ship is truly going down then there’s no time to consider alternatives. The open form simply states that the price for the services will be set after the fact using a couple of legal precedents that are well established law. (Here is a fascinating article for those who want more information: http://goo.gl/kxRlV.)
I don’t miss a minute of my work with Sea Tow. But, if you’re a recreational boater you’d do well to get to know your local franchise owner and buy a membership. It could save you a lot of money.
What I do miss are the salvages. Coming to the aid of a family in distress and being their savior is an unbelievably rewarding job. I have been a part of several life saving operations and I spent eight weeks in Mississippi after Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita recovering boats and helping people get little parts of their lives back in order. And I still get a call every year from a lady whose teenage son didn’t make it just to thank me for continuing to dive after him even after I, myself, was exhausted. These are the great aspects of the job that are unlikely to be captured by the “reality” show.
Well, now the Sea Shepards have some competition. Caught this show last night and came to the conclusion that all these “Salvage Professionals” could collectively write all they know about salvage and “Big” boat operations on the back of a postage stamp with a large sharpie marker and still have half of the stamp left over.
[QUOTE=brjones;96338]Anyone seen this show on Discovery? I just watched it for the first time this morning. They had this kid respond to a yacht dead in the water from an engine room fire. The kid jumps on the yacht where they tell him they just had a fire in the engine room. The kid says “these boats have halon systems that extinguish the fire” He then proceeds to open the ER door and go in. In a matter of seconds he stumbles out coughing and gagging. Now its a fairly new yacht so I am think that halon is not being used but rather CO2. Either way was I the only one watching him enter the engine room with out any breathing apparatus and thinking to my self “idiot”? Other than that the show is kind of cool[/QUOTE]
Set the record straight! I cannot bad mouth my own show but
I would have to say you might be an idiot if you think I opened a direct hatch to engine room after a fire,or breathed freely while I entered the yacht after a fire ( Come on really) , also if you think I can’t hold my breath for 7 seconds, You never open hatches and let it breath again if it apears to be out U MOVE. We needed to see if it was taking on water threw a window in a door at the engine room, most of the footage you do not see but hey that’s what you get myself included! There was another door to the engine room after the one you see open 1) and 2) If you notice I have brathing aparatus but I get paid to protect the Persons on Board That’s my job,so If you rewind your dvr notice (YELLOW BOTTLE IN THE CAPTAINS HANDS) I gave the breathing apparatus to the Captain and wrapped a shirt around my face. And yes you are correct its CO2 Not Halon,when your adreniline is pumping its easy to say something that’s not 100%correct. I’m sorry you guys only get the very short version without the full clip, But did you see me talking to the USCG I wasn’t coughing. Sorry you didn’t like the editing because that was a great job with a large price tag and we wait a long time for those! I love my job and have true passion for what I do and it’s not about the money it’s about the people first boat second.
Fun Fact I was a fire fighter class 135 B.F.A 1996". so that wasn’t my first rodeo. I’m not going to say you guys were fooled ,but you sure where not there on scene with me that day now where you guys… cough cough. @ lymanlouis / Coming to the aid of a family in distress and being their savior is an unbelievably rewarding job. That is the truth and why I do what I do. I will do what I do for life,@ the guy with the safety concern, if you notice Downrite is the only ones who are always in PFD.and can hold my breath for longer the 10 seconds im sure of it.
;)
:mad: You can say what you wish, but we do work for the U.S.C.G., Navy, Resolve Marine Group,Don Jon,Carnival Cruise line, Broward County Sheriff just to name a few,If you would like proof go to our you tube or face book. I didn’t get a fleet of great boats with brand new power by doing nothing or being stupid but hey thanks for watching tho and hopefully the cut’s get better for everyone. Sorry I had to speak my mind,Thanks.
@ [B]brjones[/B] I have to say something, You are talking to the person youthink is an idiot, well I think you are an idiot If you think I can’t hold mybreath for 7 seconds your wrong, or if I would open a hatch after a fire thatconnected to the engine room, if you were that day you would have seen it takeplace correct? did you see me talking to the USCG I wasn’t’ coughing, cough cough, I gave the breathing app. to thecaptain I get paid to protect the persons on board first and the boat second( so rewind your dvr and look for the yellow bottle in the captains hand! ) also there was a small room with a sealed door before the engine room that we neededto check to see if it was taking on water. It pretty important to know if theboat you are towing is sinking! It’s too bad you didn’t like the cut because itwas great job with a large price tag. We wait a long time for big high payingjobs like that. I’m not going to say you guys were fooled but come on youweren’t there. @ The guy with safety concerns, If you notice we are always inPFD’s and take safety very seriously, (never let the rescuer become the rescueE. ) and can hold my breath for 10 seonds so can you @ lymanlouis Coming to the aid of afamily in distress and being their savior is an unbelievably rewarding job …It sure is and I wouldn’t trade it for the world, and your write up is very good and on point,Salvage is based on several factors, amount of $ in equipment used by thesalver, the amount of skill of the salver, the weather conditions / hazards, and how much peril the vessel is in,or under! A salvage can be as simple astelling a ship to alter course to avoid running aground,So we are clear it’s about the people first boat second. Ilove my job and have true passion for what I do for a living. I was trained andworked as a fire fighter so I think I was in my element, not my first rodeo. Wedo work for the USCG, Navy, Don Jon, Resolve marine group, Carnival Cruiseline,Broward county Sheriff just to name a few my resume speaks for itself and I own the company built it myself with hard work from the ground up,I didn’t get a fleet of great boats with brand new power handed to me or frombeing stupid or an idiot as you so say" . This blog and your post kind of reminds me ofthe state farm commercial where the girls says “they can’t put anything on theinternet that isn’t true" with her French model who she met on the internet.ahahah I hope you guys will stay tunedand hopefully things will get better and better. Thanks
[QUOTE=Sweat-n-Grease;96348]I didn’t see it but the “kid” obviously had lousy fire fighting training, if he had any. Never open a door to a space containing fire without wearing the proper protection and taking due caution. He’s lucky he didn’t get hit with back draft.[/QUOTE]
By the way that was not the door to the engine room,there was one more door, the owner didn’t want the footage on tv when they stood on the boat. for the record we were checkign to see if was taking on water not still on fire the fire was out!
[QUOTE=brjones;96338]Anyone seen this show on Discovery? I just watched it for the first time this morning. They had this kid respond to a yacht dead in the water from an engine room fire. The kid jumps on the yacht where they tell him they just had a fire in the engine room. The kid says “these boats have halon systems that extinguish the fire” He then proceeds to open the ER door and go in. In a matter of seconds he stumbles out coughing and gagging. Now its a fairly new yacht so I am think that halon is not being used but rather CO2. Either way was I the only one watching him enter the engine room with out any breathing apparatus and thinking to my self “idiot”? Other than that the show is kind of cool[/QUOTE]
You are talking to the person you think is an idiot, well Ithink you are an idiot If you think I can’t hold my breath for 7 seconds , orif I would open a hatch after a fire that connected to the engine room, if youwere that day you would have seen it take place correct? did you see me talkingto the USCG I wasn’t’ coughing, coughcough, I gave the breathing app. to the captain I get paid to protect thepersons on board first and the boat second also there was a small room with adoor before the engine room that we needed to check to see if it was taking onwater. It pretty important to know if the boat you are towing is sinking! It’stoo bad you didn’t like the cut because it was great job with a large price tagthey said 10k in the show but when we summited the bill it was several timesthat. We wait a long time for big high paying jobs like that. I’m not going tosay you guys were fooled but come on you weren’t there. @ The guy with safetyconcerns, If you notice we are always in PFD’s and take safety very seriously, (neverlet the rescuer become the rescue E. ) @lymanlouis Coming to the aid of a family in distress and being their savior isan unbelievably rewarding job … It sure is and I wouldn’t trade it for theworld, and your write up is very goodand on point, Salvage is based on several factors, amount of $ in equipmentused by the salver, the amount of skill of the salver, the weather conditions/ hazards, and how much peril the vesselis in, or under! A salvage can be assimple as telling a ship to alter course to avoid running aground,
So we are clear it’s about the people first boat second. Ilove my job and have true passion for what I do for a living. I was trained andworked as a fire fighter so I think I was in my element, not my first rodeo. Wedo work for the USCG, Navy, Don Jon, Resolve marine group, Carnival Cruiseline,Broward county Sheriff just to name a few my resume speaks for itself, andI didn’t get a fleet of great boats with brand new power handed to me or frombeing stupid or an idiot as you so say" . This blog kind of reminds me ofthe state farm commercial where the girls says “they can’t put anything on theinternet that isn’t true" with her French model who she met on the internet.ahahah I hope you guys will stay tunedand hopefully things will get better and better. Thanks
Well I just got an email from the “kid”. He said he couldn’t respond to this post so I figure in fairness I would cut and paste it so we can see his response. This is a straight cut and paste with no editing on my part.
I tried to post this but for some reason it will not let me, so let me just send it straight to you!
You are talking to the person you think is an idiot, well Ithink you are an idiot If you think I can’t hold my breath for 7 seconds , and if you think I would open a hatch after a fire that connected to the engine room, if youwere that day you would have seen it take place correct? did you see me talkingto the USCG I wasn’t’ coughing, coughcough, I gave the breathing app. to the captain I get paid to protect thepersons on board first and the boat second also there was a small room with adoor before the engine room that we needed to check to see if it was taking onwater. It pretty important to know if the boat you are towing is sinking! It’stoo bad you didn’t like the cut because it was great job with a large price tag… We wait a long time for big high paying jobs like that. I’m not going tosay you guys were fooled but come on you weren’t there. @ The guy with safetyconcerns, If you notice we are always in PFD’s and take safety very seriously, (neverlet the rescuer become the rescue E. ) @lymanlouis Coming to the aid of a family in distress and being their savior isan unbelievably rewarding job … It sure is and I wouldn’t trade it for theworld, and your write up is very goodand on point, Salvage is based on several factors, amount of $ in equipmentused by the salver, the amount of skill of the salver, the weather conditions/ hazards, and how much peril the vesselis in, or under! A salvage can be assimple as telling a ship to alter course to avoid running aground,
So we are clear it’s about the people first, boat second. Ilove my job and have true passion for what I do for a living. I was trained andworked as a fire fighter so I think I was in my element, not my first rodeo. Wedo work for the USCG, Navy, Don Jon, Resolve marine group, Carnival Cruiseline,Broward county Sheriff just to name a few my resume speaks for itself, andI didn’t get a fleet of great boats with brand new power handed to me or frombeing stupid or an idiot as you so say" . This blog kind of reminds me ofthe state farm commercial where the girls says “they can’t put anything on theinternet that isn’t true" with her French model who she met on the internet.ahahah Thanks
That kid and the rest of those nut sacks on that show are all a joke.