Good Samaritan Towing

We have discussed watch standing before. When we are on watch we endeavor to be alert, at the very least. Our responsibilities also include listening, looking, and operating radar, just to name a few. We have to be concerned about our night vision and everything else that renders us capable of standing a proper watch. However, what if the watch is too much for us? Or what if we simply can't see what needs watching from our helm station?

There are times when extenuating circumstances make it impossible for one person to keep track of everything that requires attention. Those times usually involve some sort of a problem that either befalls us, or one of our fellow boaters. In such cases, we assign another crewmember to assist us.

An example would be the case of a "good Samaritan" towing operation. When we offer assistance to fellow mariners by towing them to their homeport, there are a few more responsibilities than what is usually expected of us at our own helm. Since we do not have eyes in the back of our head, it is helpful to have the assistance of a "towing watch."

A person assigned to stand a towing watch has a few things to think about. First, since your recreational boat is not rigged as a towing vessel, there are a few risks. The towing watch will be looking for "chafing" of our towline and any visible problems with our deck fittings due to the strain of towing.

Also, based on the problem that disabled our fellow mariners in the first place, we may want to watch what we are towing for signs of taking on water. "Listing" to port or starboard, or the vessel sitting lower toward the stern are things to look for. 

If we are towing at night, we are obliged to make the towing operation obvious to other mariners since our boat is not fitted with towing lights. When other vessels are in the vicinity, it is wise to shine a searchlight on the towline and the vessel in tow. Tying short lengths of cloth along the towline make it more obvious to other boaters.

There are a host of mechanical and electrical situations that may require a watch stander. In the event that you have to make a temporary repair to something to keep your boat running on the way home, it is wise to keep a watch on it. "Jury rigging" is not favored because once it is "out of sight" it might become "out of mind" as well. Good judgment is required to determine when to call for help or to "limp along" on your own.

In the case of a temporary repair, if a crewmember is constantly watching the situation, the risk of a calamity is greatly reduced. It is recommended to have a dedicated watch on such things so that the slightest change in the situation can be dealt with before it causes a problem.

The bottom line to all of this is to know when to keep a "constant" eye on something that may give us trouble. That extra pair of eyes might just keep you from becoming a news story!

Until next time, I wish you clear skies, fair winds, and calm seas!