In my days aboard Coast Guard Cutters, on the first boat I was assigned to out of boot camp was the 95' WPB Cape Fox out of Key West. Our XO was an old salty Down Easter named Senior Chief "Lob." This tow boat captain reminded me of Chief Lob. His real last name was, I think I will get the spelling wrong, Lobkowicz. Close enough for government work. This crew did a good job. I wish the camera could of gotten a good sight on that Cutter that was named "Crocodile." Never heard a CG Cutter class named for water critters before.
You wouldn't believe the number of sailboats I tow from far offshore that won't even attempt to sail closer to the inlet. It's like as soon as their engine dies they forget they're on a sailboat and can use the wind for power.
@@CaptKenO I heah ya, there’s no end to fools out theyah that think they can sail. They keep you in business, so I would think you have no complaints. Good job Cap. Keep ‘er a goin’
@@scomo532 That's the way I look at it. I hate seeing stupid /incompetent people on the water, but as long as they're not doing anything too dangerous, I'll keep them around since they are what pay my bills! 😁
I see that a lot on the Chesapeake Bay. Especially on Sunday's if the wind, tide or both are goin' the wrong way. A lot of 'em have to go for the "Iron Jenny" if they're gonna' get back to the dock in time to make it for work the next day. I've always thought sailin' with bare poles was a little embarrassing, myself. I mean, what if somebody took a picture?
I always loved Tow Boat US. For more than a decade I've been buying their "top shelf" Unlimited Gold towing plan and I've had to use it twice for my steel schooner. Both times, they responded quickly, towed us to the repair dock we wanted and NO BILL!! It's cheap insurance for something that could be very expensive. I wouldn't leave the dock without it. If you're a boater, it's worth looking into their various plans.
Well said! The one thing I'd add is just spend the little bit extra money and just go with the Unlimited Gold and ignore the other policies especially the $50 one
@@CaptKenO You're so right about that! The Unlimited Gold is the way to go. Another thing I'd like to say here is that WE ALWAYS try to tip the Towboat guy (sometimes gal) who comes out to help us. Some say "No." But everyone likes being appreciated for a job well done. Love your channel, btw, Fla. Gulf Coast Marine Services. I used to haunt the Pease River and Charlotte Harbor back in the late '70s and 80s. Remember "Old Hitler" -- the tarpon stealing hammerhead? Or, one of my construction friends from the Fisherman's Village build that used to be a commercial diver. He's the one that got the prop off the Bayronto -- AND a bill from U.S. Customs for his "import of 20 tons of bronze." Damn! Those were the days.
I call bull on that claim that it was "too rough" for the cutter to tow them back through the inlet. More than likely it wasn't rough enough to warrant a CG tow through the inlet and was referred to private tow company - I've towed 80' trawlers back through inlets breaking 12-15 foot on the bar with a 44' MLB. If 3 foot seas is "too rough" for them to tow a blow boat through the inlet then the Coast Guard has been slipping since my day.
A 44' MLB is a lot easier to control than an 80ft cutter. More than anything though is it's what you're used to. Since we don't get sea action like this (and it was more than 3ft) all the time on the gulf coast, it could be that the captain just wasn't comfortable enough especially when there was a better safer option for him (us)
I never heard of a CG towing a boat unless lives were in danger. Towing boats is the job of private towing companies. I've seen CG and Harbor patrol keep a watch on boats in distress, waiting for private tow boats to get to them...never have I seen them toss em a line to tow. I could be wrong.
@@LordDarthBaiter you're showing your young age, or I'm showing my old age, back when there was no such thing as a private towing company, the Coast Guard did it all. Also, mechanical breakdown or run aground is not "in distress" unless it's in rough weather or leads to taking on water. Sinking, on fire, serious medical emergencies would qualify as being "in distress".
Thanks for the videos and thanks for what you guys do ! I've been towed in before at the inlet at Destin because my starter failed. I replaced the starter and went back out the next day.
Very interesting content. I’d like to hear about the workings of your operation - seems like a rewarding job. A tour of your boat and gear and how you make ends meet would be awesome. Maybe pointers on how deal with emergencies and how to make sure that when and if you have problems, how to know that you’re dealing with professionals and avoid rip-off opportunists.
A blown roller-furling jib and an "in mast" main furling system, which are the worst. Probably hopelessly jammed. If the motor won't start (water in fuel or wet ignition), you can put up a staysail and limp in, but it's easier to have BoatUS insurance.
This was one of those that they had left port a few days ago and unfortunately in the area where I work, the only good inlets a sailboat can get through safely are 30+ miles apart
Don't know if it's already been mentioned but I can't believe these guys don't have some kind of fence behind the tow line stanchion. I thought that was actually a requirement.
@@CaptKenO I won't argue whether it's a "requirement" or not because I don't know but it's sure as hell a good idea. It's not the line you have to worry about, it's the cleat breaking loose from a soft deck and decks tend to be soft where you have penetrations like cleats. Capt. Carter
I don't remember what I said in this video since it was so long ago...but their engine died which is why they initially called. We said no way in hell we we're going out that far to get them in those conditions, so call the coast guard to come get you. The cg was originally going to take them in through charlotte harbor, but decided to take them to venice instead...and then realized they didn't want to tow it through the inlet with the cutter (can't blame them), so asked us to meet them outside the inlet and tow them in
@@welshlyn9097 All really depends on how many tows/hrs you work. I can't say for the other tow companies, but at least for TowBoat US, you get 20% of the invoice amount, and we bill a minimum of $200/h, so at a minimum you're making $40/h that you're towing. The problem is the being on call. We run 24hr shifts and you only make $50 for being on call that day unless you get a tow
In my days aboard Coast Guard Cutters, on the first boat I was assigned to out of boot camp was the 95' WPB Cape Fox out of Key West. Our XO was an old salty Down Easter named Senior Chief "Lob." This tow boat captain reminded me of Chief Lob. His real last name was, I think I will get the spelling wrong, Lobkowicz. Close enough for government work. This crew did a good job. I wish the camera could of gotten a good sight on that Cutter that was named "Crocodile." Never heard a CG Cutter class named for water critters before.
CGC Crocodile is one of the 87 footers that replaced the old 82's
Capt Scott was also in the CG when he lived up in Boston
These are protector class cutters and are named after animals that can either fly or swim.
It’s a SAIL boat. The jib’s leach was tattered, get it down and replace it with a new one, raise a reefed main and sail on! Embarrassing!
You wouldn't believe the number of sailboats I tow from far offshore that won't even attempt to sail closer to the inlet. It's like as soon as their engine dies they forget they're on a sailboat and can use the wind for power.
@@CaptKenO I heah ya, there’s no end to fools out theyah that think they can sail. They keep you in business, so I would think you have no complaints. Good job Cap. Keep ‘er a goin’
@@scomo532 That's the way I look at it. I hate seeing stupid /incompetent people on the water, but as long as they're not doing anything too dangerous, I'll keep them around since they are what pay my bills! 😁
I see that a lot on the Chesapeake Bay. Especially on Sunday's if the wind, tide or both are goin' the wrong way. A lot of 'em have to go for the "Iron Jenny" if they're gonna' get back to the dock in time to make it for work the next day. I've always thought sailin' with bare poles was a little embarrassing, myself. I mean, what if somebody took a picture?
Yeah I was thinking the same thing but a lot of sailors know one way of sailing and if that is thwarted they just freeze up.
I always loved Tow Boat US. For more than a decade I've been buying their "top shelf" Unlimited Gold towing plan and I've had to use it twice for my steel schooner. Both times, they responded quickly, towed us to the repair dock we wanted and NO BILL!! It's cheap insurance for something that could be very expensive. I wouldn't leave the dock without it. If you're a boater, it's worth looking into their various plans.
Well said! The one thing I'd add is just spend the little bit extra money and just go with the Unlimited Gold and ignore the other policies especially the $50 one
@@CaptKenO You're so right about that! The Unlimited Gold is the way to go. Another thing I'd like to say here is that WE ALWAYS try to tip the Towboat guy (sometimes gal) who comes out to help us. Some say "No." But everyone likes being appreciated for a job well done. Love your channel, btw, Fla. Gulf Coast Marine Services. I used to haunt the Pease River and Charlotte Harbor back in the late '70s and 80s. Remember "Old Hitler" -- the tarpon stealing hammerhead? Or, one of my construction friends from the Fisherman's Village build that used to be a commercial diver. He's the one that got the prop off the Bayronto -- AND a bill from U.S. Customs for his "import of 20 tons of bronze." Damn! Those were the days.
@@yepiratesworkshop7997 lol 😂
That's a bit before my time 🤣
Tipping the captain is always appreciated especially if they go beyond just towing you
@@CaptKenO 👍👍
I call bull on that claim that it was "too rough" for the cutter to tow them back through the inlet. More than likely it wasn't rough enough to warrant a CG tow through the inlet and was referred to private tow company - I've towed 80' trawlers back through inlets breaking 12-15 foot on the bar with a 44' MLB. If 3 foot seas is "too rough" for them to tow a blow boat through the inlet then the Coast Guard has been slipping since my day.
A 44' MLB is a lot easier to control than an 80ft cutter. More than anything though is it's what you're used to. Since we don't get sea action like this (and it was more than 3ft) all the time on the gulf coast, it could be that the captain just wasn't comfortable enough especially when there was a better safer option for him (us)
@@CaptKenO my first gut reaction was "officers 🙄 put a Master Chief Bosun's mate in charge of that cutter." 🤣
@@erichammond9308”Zeros” I agree. Not the CG I was in. People were glad to see us not sure if it is still the same
I never heard of a CG towing a boat unless lives were in danger. Towing boats is the job of private towing companies.
I've seen CG and Harbor patrol keep a watch on boats in distress, waiting for private tow boats to get to them...never have I seen them toss em a line to tow.
I could be wrong.
@@LordDarthBaiter you're showing your young age, or I'm showing my old age, back when there was no such thing as a private towing company, the Coast Guard did it all. Also, mechanical breakdown or run aground is not "in distress" unless it's in rough weather or leads to taking on water. Sinking, on fire, serious medical emergencies would qualify as being "in distress".
Thanks for the videos and thanks for what you guys do ! I've been towed in before at the inlet at Destin because my starter failed. I replaced the starter and went back out the next day.
That's what we're here for! :)
Please tell me you weren't in a sailboat!
It's really annoying about how many boaters do call the Coasties, when the only problem is their incompetence.
Sometimes yes...but in this case there was a legitimate reason for the call and it is exactly what the CG is for
Looks so similar to my old sail boat. Another great job!
Thanks Steve!
Very interesting content. I’d like to hear about the workings of your operation - seems like a rewarding job. A tour of your boat and gear and how you make ends meet would be awesome. Maybe pointers on how deal with emergencies and how to make sure that when and if you have problems, how to know that you’re dealing with professionals and avoid rip-off opportunists.
A boat walkthrough will be coming sometime! I'm just an independent contractor who works for a 3rd party contractor with towboat us
The guy driving the towboat I'm sure he's getting paid for towing the bolt but seems to hate his job.
He can get cranky at times 🤣
For the most part, he actually does enjoy his job...but like everyone, he has his moments
That sailboat's jib (front sail) is in tatters, and I couldn't see a main sail wrapped around the boom. These folks might have had a bad experience.
Upon closer examination, I think that they had a self-furling main sail.
They did. They got caught in the storm with their sails up and then their engine quit on them
A blown roller-furling jib and an "in mast" main furling system, which are the worst. Probably hopelessly jammed. If the motor won't start (water in fuel or wet ignition), you can put up a staysail and limp in, but it's easier to have BoatUS insurance.
Look at those Thundercats in front and behind him. Turn around Captian.
This was one of those that they had left port a few days ago and unfortunately in the area where I work, the only good inlets a sailboat can get through safely are 30+ miles apart
Don't know if it's already been mentioned but I can't believe these guys don't have some kind of fence behind the tow line stanchion. I thought that was actually a requirement.
It's not a requirement and it's not necessary. The towline is much stronger than the force we can generate with these boats
@@CaptKenO I won't argue whether it's a "requirement" or not because I don't know but it's sure as hell a good idea. It's not the line you have to worry about, it's the cleat breaking loose from a soft deck and decks tend to be soft where you have penetrations like cleats. Capt. Carter
Looking at the clouds behind them when they are first going out they should have turned back
The fishing boat captian should have turned around early.
What fishing boat? I don't remember one being out there...
Why did they just anchor and not go to a dock? Was their motor still still operational?
I don't remember what I said in this video since it was so long ago...but their engine died which is why they initially called. We said no way in hell we we're going out that far to get them in those conditions, so call the coast guard to come get you. The cg was originally going to take them in through charlotte harbor, but decided to take them to venice instead...and then realized they didn't want to tow it through the inlet with the cutter (can't blame them), so asked us to meet them outside the inlet and tow them in
I'm sure it's been asked but what are the specs on your boat ? Engine , model etcetera.
I'll be doing a walk around sometime for all of you who've asked! '87 26ft shamrock yanmar diesel
does this towboat have twin engines ?
Nope. Single engine yanmar diesel
Sorry for asking,how much money can make on this job.
This job as in this tow? Or this job as in a towboat captain?
@@CaptKenO rowboat captain 👨✈️ thanks ☺️
@@CaptKenO sorry towboat
@@welshlyn9097 All really depends on how many tows/hrs you work. I can't say for the other tow companies, but at least for TowBoat US, you get 20% of the invoice amount, and we bill a minimum of $200/h, so at a minimum you're making $40/h that you're towing. The problem is the being on call. We run 24hr shifts and you only make $50 for being on call that day unless you get a tow
@@CaptKenO thanks stay safe Lyn.
Sounds like a Bostonian
You've got that right! :) Capt Scott worked for the Boston FD for many years
Definitely an old salt.
Yes totally I’m an old Boston boy retired down in Fla and I got all excited hearing the familiar accent
멋지네요 ^^
I love your channel dude
Thanks mate! Glad you're enjoying my content!