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 To
Tow And Not To Tow
by
Dusty Miller
Boats
break down. Not often, fortunately, but they do and it's a helpless
feeling to be out on the lake with no way to get to shore under
your own steam. If you find yourself in the situation where you
have to borrow some "steam" from another boat, there are a few things
you should keep in mind. People have to be careful towing, whether
you're the tow-er or the tow-ee.
Let's begin from the point of view of the boat that
has broken down. Your first step, of course, is to take whatever
steps you can to avoid any danger. You do this even before trying
to repair whatever is wrong with the engine. If the wind is blowing
you ashore, or out into open water, set an anchor. Make sure the
anchor line is attached to your boat. You'd be amazed how often
people discover this oversight just as the end slips into the water.
Where water is too deep for an anchor, you can ease the danger of
heavy waves on your beam by setting a sea anchor off your bow.
Your next step is to attract attention. The most
obvious way is with a VHF radio on Channel 16. Use the word "Mayday"
only if your boat or an on-board passenger is in immediate danger.
"Pan Pan" indicates urgency and will get you attention. If you don't
have a radio or cell phone, continuous sounding of an air horn or
other signals such as a flare or a distress cloth are effective.
If you're within sight of someone on shore or another
boat, raising your arms at your sides and lowering them slowly is
also a distress signal. These methods are all found in the Safe
Boating Guide. But be aware, it can be difficult to attract attention.
A radio is the best bet.
Once you have a boat that can take you in tow, you've
got to get a line from that boat to yours. In heavy seas that can
be tricky because you want to get close enough to throw a line,
but stay far enough away to avoid collision. I'll explain that more
from the towboat's point of view.
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(Read full article at Page 17.)
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