Question I have, is why are tug operators such a-holes. I had a guy move my boat from a government wharf, 3 F-ING times, during the slow season, likely just to get a fare. Getting sick of this after spending some time in a seasonal berth (wait lists here are insane) for security purposes, I wanted to drop a barrel and create a buoy. A completely different tug operator suggested I moor to an abandoned mooring less than 90 yards from the government harbour of dubious quality. Jerk called me 3 days later not realizing I wasn’t even on his suggested mooring ball, looking for a tow. I even offered to pay him to drop the barrel, it wasn’t a money thing, he just wanted the emergency tow.
I have a 26’ sailboat with a 6’ drought, beaching it would be a nightmare. Guess he thought the harbour authority would pay the bill and he could hold my boat in hawk until I paid him emergency tow rates, sad, considering I was willing to pay him for a legit trip with the barrel, chain, and buoy for the drop, and would sail my boat over there and tie up.
Obviously, the problem in my area is lack of moorage, but the tow operators here are bandits. Like, just leave my boat alone. It was secured with 9 lines, one chain (locked to the dock). The bugger cut all my lines and tried to pry open the lock just to get an emergency tow. I now keep a gun on board the vessel.
I’m all for a tug operator running an honest business trying to make money; boats cost money to maintain and gas costs money and time is money. But cutting lines, pulling anchors, towing boats to places where you wouldn’t have access unless you swim 300m in the cold water just to create business is just dirty business. Maybe I need a deck cannon, sink the bastards ships.
I’m sure there are honest tug operators but I have yet to meet one.