Handling Emergencies Part III: Safety Under Tow | Modern Sailing

Handling Emergencies Part III: Safety Under Tow

If your boat has lost propulsion or steerage and troubleshooting at anchor has failed to resolve the issue, your next step is to call SeaTow for a tow. Here is what you need to know to stay safe while under tow.

  1. Ensure that everyone aboard is wearing a PFD.
     
  2. Decline the assistance that any passing boats may offer, unless your vessel and/or crew are in imminent and severe danger, and only to get you to safer waters where you may securely wait for your SeaTow vessel to arrive. In the unlikely event that you are in such a situation, know the risks. Towing can be dangerous.
     
  3. One of the great advantages of the SeaTow service is the knowledge and experience of their captains and crews. They will also carry all of the equipment necessary to tow a wide variety of vessels. The SeaTow crew will supply lines and instruct you and your crew on how to tie up. In inland waters or over short distances, SeaTow will most likely raft up alongside your vessel. In open water or across longer distances, SeaTow will tie a bridle to your bow and tow your boat from their stern.
     
  4. While being towed from the bow, steer your boat by keeping your bow pointed at the stern of the vessel towing you.
     
  5. When tension on a line is suddenly released due to breakage, the line and anything attached to it becomes a dangerous projectile that can severely injure or even kill. Ensure that you and your crew stay off the deck and out of the "snap-back zone" while under tow. Be aware that a parted line will tend to snap backwards in a straight line, or travel in a sweeping arch if braced against a pivot point.
     
  6. MSC's Charter Policies strictly forbid towing or rafting up to other boats. But does this mean that if you see a vessel in distress, that you should pass them by?
     
  • Federal Code 46-2304 mandates: "A master or individual in charge of a vessel shall render assistance to any individual found at sea in danger of being lost, so far as the master or individual in charge can do so without serious danger to the master or individual’s vessel or individuals on board." In other words, do not assist if you do not feel that you can do so safely.
     
  • You may offer to call the US Coast Guard on VHF radio channel 16 if the disabled boat's radio has malfunctioned and/or stand by with the disabled vessel until help arrives.
     
  • One day, you may find yourself aboard a non-MSC boat and come upon a vessel in distress. You will be faced with the decision to tow or not to tow. If you are not trained in towing safety and procedures, rendering assistance to a disabled vessel could likely result in damage or injury to boats and crew. Again, preparation is best practice. Read this article from Boats.com: Towing a Boat on the Water so that you are prepared.
     

Learn more about responding to emergency situations and safety under tow in ASA 106, Advanced Coastal Cruising. Questions about on-the-water safety? Call (415) 331-8250, email us, or stop by our office and ask to speak with one of our knowledgable captains.

Want to learn more seamanship and safety tips? Check out the Member Resources section of our website. New articles are added frequently!

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  • Emma & George Stubbs, Sausalito

    We just took our ASA 106 at a school in Rhode Island as we prepare for 6 months of cruising in the Caribbean. The class was great, but more than anything it made us really appreciate the quality of teaching and rigor at Modern Sailing. Even though we were the newest to sailing, the group seemed to think that we had the best fundamentals. We felt very well prepared and we see why Modern Sailing has the reputation it does.

  • Andrew Goble, San Francisco

    It has been wonderful sailing with MSC over the years. Please extend my thanks to the owners, management, and staff for unrequited professionalism and high standards in a charter fleet. I have sailed with several in my years and none nearly hold a candle to the quality of business and staff at Modern Sailing.

  • Warren Leiden, Member

    I try to get out on the water every week: out the Gate, around Angel, up Raccoon - I love it all. After 18 years as a member of OCSC in Berkeley, I learned to sail the bigger boats at Modern by taking ASA 103 and 104. My ASA 104 instructor Dave Russell was terrific. Also, Captain Bill Moreland has been very generous in giving informal advice whenever I’ve asked him. Thanks to Bill, I no longer have any anxiety about docking!

  • David Dolenc, Member

    I love sailing in the San Francisco Bay and greatly appreciate everything that MSC has to offer, the classes, clinics, club sails, racing and charters. I enjoy our supportive sailing community and use every opportunity to spend time on the water. After obtaining the certifications from MSC I did my first charter in Croatia in 2022 with my family. It was amazing and we’re looking forward to returning soon!

  • John Kratochvil, Oregon

    I would like to compliment Stan Lander for his coaching, counseling and teaching Heavy Weather Offshore Sailing. Stan was very accommodating to all of the student's interests and shared his many years of insight on handling the boat in heavy seas. I would certainly recommend Stan and this course to sheltered waters sailors. My confidence in handling a boat of this size was certainly enhanced by the experience.

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Modern Sailing School & Club

Sausalito Location
2310 Marinship Way, Sausalito
(415) 331-8250
(800) 995-1668

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1 Spinnaker Way, Berkeley
(415) 331-8250
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