Boat in distress question

[pikergolf]

I towed a fellow fisherman in yesterday, dead battery, he was about three miles from the boat launch. They waved me down using a coat and air horn. Sadly before I helped them, they had waved another boat in who came within 50 yds, had a look and decided they had better things to do and left without exchanging a word. Second time on this lake I have towed someone in that others had ignored. The first time I had relayed my story to a friend and he told me he was pretty sure it was illegal to not help on the water. I did not look into it then but after yesterdays events I Googled it and found this. Would it apply in the circumstance I outlined? Just curious.

https://driveaboatcanada.ca/assistin...0in%20distress.

[AlbertanGP]

I would think it would apply. Although seeing it enforced could be an issue. Karma will catch up with the first boat. We all need help sooner or later on the water.

[.257Weatherby]

Originally Posted by AlbertanGP

I would think it would apply. Although seeing it enforced could be an issue. Karma will catch up with the first boat. We all need help sooner or later on the water.

Karma will be the player to those who pass on a boater in distress...
Unless of course the possible Good Samaritan's boat is of a smaller size and assisting would place them in harms way should they assist.
The op didn't mention the sizes of vessels assisting or in need of assistance, not that it really matters, but it does paint a bigger picture.
Rob

[mapleleafman3]

I'd say that applies to the circumstance. It is very general verbage though. I wonder if there is a fine or loss of license for it? In any case, that first boater is a douchebag. If hope he finds himself in the same situation and nobody helps him. Karma.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Not to justify it, but it could be that the first vessel decided that, in their assessment, that no one in the stricken boat was in a life-threatening situation.

The problem is, on the water, a life-threatening situation could arise very quickly. Hence the rules about providing assistance.

Good on you, Pikergolf, for doing the right thing. Like AlbertanGP says, we all need help sooner or later.

[pikergolf]

Most definitely a douche nozzle move, 16' heavy boat and heavier folks in a coulee reservoir 3 miles from help an hour before dark. Hard to fathom just driving away. I will be getting booster cables for the boat as well.

[superuke]

We spend our summers at Slave Lake for the last 28 years. Every year we have had to tow someone back to safety. This year two times. Main cause battery failure and out of gas.
We always carry a small container of spare gas and a battery booster pack. See attached photo. I have never seen a boat with boaster cables so if the battery is dead they would need a tow. What gets me boat costs 50 grand plus and no battery booster.

[Stinky Buffalo]

Originally Posted by superuke

We spend our summers at Slave Lake for the last 28 years. Every year we have had to tow someone back to safety. This year two times. Main cause battery failure and out of gas.
We always carry a small container of spare gas and a battery booster pack. See attached photo. I have never seen a boat with boaster cables so if the battery is dead they would need a tow. What gets me boat costs 50 grand plus and no battery booster.

I've been packing mine on the boat as well. You're right, one rarely sees booster cables on a boat.

On some outboards, at least you can pull start them. My 60 HP Merc has a pull start kit under the top cowl.

[stubblejumper01]

Originally Posted by superuke

We spend our summers at Slave Lake for the last 28 years. Every year we have had to tow someone back to safety. This year two times. Main cause battery failure and out of gas.
We always carry a small container of spare gas and a battery booster pack. See attached photo. I have never seen a boat with boaster cables so if the battery is dead they would need a tow. What gets me boat costs 50 grand plus and no battery booster.

I also carry a booster pack and I have used it a few times for my own boat.
Occasionally the first fish of the day is a keeper so I turn the live well on and off quite a bit and my Hummingbird seems to draw a lot of power. I mostly use the electric trolling motor and probably don’t run the big motor long enough to keep the starting battery up. Also I found out that I had a push to turn on light that I bumped on a windy day and didn’t notice. I also make sure to turn off the master switch now too

[H380]

I've see a few guys on the lake I fish that have totally no scruples when it comes to courtesy when boating , from passing to close to anchoring directly on front of me ( 40 yds ) in my line of trolling...didn't impress the 2 little grandsons I had with me .. on my latest trip I was.ablebto help out a belly boat fly fisherman just before I loaded my boat to leave . A guy came up to me as I was entering g the water with my trailer and asked if I would go back part way across the lake with my boat amd tow in his fellow belly boater . The guy had put a hook into the tube and it was losing air fast . I didn't hesitate and when I got there I discovered he was about spent cause he had surgery not long ago and now had 2 artificial knees ..tube was in bad shape and we got him back to the dock...those same 2 grandsons were with me and theywere grinning when we helped him out , maybe some day they will di the same ..we should never be in too big of a hurry to lend a hand , karma is a true thing ..

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[roper1]

I've helped guys out on the lakes & the river. Just seems like people need a little help once in a while. Did pull a family in a 16' fibreglass off Minnewanka once was a time I thought someone might be in real danger. That & a guy in an inflatable too wore out to reach the launch & was headed for the weir.

[Tygarian]

How does it even make sense to pass on someone who is in distress. No justification for all at all.

[Ballertrawler II]

I had a couple of experiences where I have helped and where others have helped me.

to me it is just common courtesy and safety. I got stuck on wabamun because I ran out of fuel... stupid of me, (new boat and didn't check fuel before I went assuming it was full but it was not) and so i went to closest shore to see if I could hitch a ride or something and a fellow came out on his dock and I thought uh-oh he is going to be upset as I am invading his privacy but he waved me over and gave me fuel and refused to take any payment and I found out he likes whiskey and I said I would bring him a bottle and he said only if we sit down and share it...

I have tow rope and booster cables because sometimes the main battery is dead so I boost from trolling motor. Going to be installing battery isolation switch and boost/charging circuit in the off season.

Those booster packs would also be a great idea as I have one I carried on my motorcycle.

For those that help i appreciate you!



So how can I not stop when Karma has been so good to me...