I NEED MORE THAN A TOW AND MY BOAT IS IN PERIL...

Remember that Salvage and Recovery is not covered by your TowBoatU.S. Towing Membership

Salvage assistance due to sinking, fire, accidents, or other perils are the responsibility of you, the vessel owner(s) regardless of fault or how it happened. US Coast Guard and State Agencies will be looking for the vessel owner to remove the vessel and mitigate safety and environmental hazards that sunk, wrecked, or abandoned vessels pose to our maritime communities.

Your towing membership is now off the table and you are shifting into Salvage or Advanced Vessel Assistance services.

What should I do first?

If your vessel is involved in any emergency situation, not covered under BoatU.S. Towing Service Agreement, you immediately take the following steps:

You need to get help on the way!

Call 911 or use your VHF Marine Radio and on Channel 16 to call the U.S. Coast Guard "Mayday, Mayday, Mayday"
Give dispatchers your position, nature of distress, number of people onboard, vessel name and description before doing anything else.
Get lifejackets on, activate emergency locator beacons, anchor or beach your vessel and then while help is on the way, and if it is safe
contact your insurance company's 24-hour claims line to get a claim started.

Okay I have a claim number what next?

Next, contact us and we will start the process to assist you. Keep in mind that salvage operations are high risk and dangerous. These types of situations require additional resources, increased levels of certified personnel and equipment to properly assist your vessel, protect the environment and keep people safe.

What may seem as a simple, "If I just had a pump", can quickly escalate into your vessel capsizing, sinking, spilling fuel into the water, and placing people in extreme danger.

The equipment is expensive to own and maintain, specialized advanced divers and crews require constant training to follow US Coast Guard, State, Local and OSHA safety standards, including the liability insurance requirements.

Oh no, I don't have Insurance , now what?

If you do not have an insurance policy or if it is after hours, and your coverage cannot be confirmed, Salvage companies will require a deposit via credit card and ask you to review and sign a salvage contract to get started.

We can't get started until we get these two things.

We can't mobilize on a "promise to pay". We are governed by Federal Admiralty laws and unlike a mechanic's lien, there is no retained value in a sunken or severely damaged vessel once it sinks or breaks apart for it to be acquired and sold to recoup payment.

Deciding to not properly insure a vessel or not having access to reserve funds to pay for salvage and recovery, is not a defense or a pass to just abandon any vessel.

How much is this going to cost?

Just to set your expectations, salvages or advanced vessel assistance services can run anywhere from $4,500 to well over $100K depending on the size of the vessel, type of damage, level of equipment required, potential for environmental damage from fuels and oils, and potential for the vessel to cause damage to other vessels and structures.

What about the U.S. Coast Guard and State Investigators pressuring me to take care of this?

Remember, U.S. Coast Guard and State Agencies will generally be involved and will require the vessel to be immediately recovered, removed and any pollution spills to be cleaned up.

Federal Clean Water Act Violation Fines start at approx. $52K a day and SC fines start at $5K.

Most marine insurance policies include Environmental Liability coverages to cover the cost of cleanup and fines, reviewing your policy with your insurance advisor will ensure you are covered.

Anything else I should know?

This sounds intimidating, but with Allwater Marine Services as your partner, we will help you navigate every boat owner's worst fear. We have immediate resources to assist.

Keep in mind, Insurance coverage is a contract between the owner and the company. Due to insurance privacy laws our team cannot contact claims handlers or representatives of the insurance company on your behalf. Our contract is with you, the owner, as the responsible party.

If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be glad to assist.

Thank you for trusting in the Salvage and Advanced Vessel Assistance Team of Allwater Marine Services !

Allwater Marine Services, LLC.

Charleston, South Carolina, United States

(843) 745-5977

Towboat U.S. Charleston is operated by Allwater Marine Services, LLC., a fifth generation Charleston family-owned business and provides premium services under the TowBoat U.S. brand. All services provided to BoatU.S. members are carried out in accordance with strict equipment, licensing, operating and training standards that BoatU.S. members have come to expect.