Fine cost if boat sinks?

[ericp501]

This is the first year I'd be putting my boat in a slip. There will be times when I can't make it to the boat for 2 weeks. I have a very good marina who have a "pull first ask questions later" policy and will pull the boat out if they notice its taking on water then call me. But in the event the boat were to go down, what kind of fines can I expect if I get the boat out in 1 or 2 days at the most? I live in NJ. I called my insurance, they cover the boat, not the fines.

 

[screennamie]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Id say ask yer local cop shop or marine division. Can't imagine you'd get a fine from law enforcement if its in a private slip and sinks. The business where its stowed may charge something and it'll sure cost for a salvage crew to make it float again.

or the secretary of state would know that too I think.

 

[dingbat]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

http://www.boatus.com/gov/oilspills.asp

Under federal law, you are required to report a fuel or oil spill, no matter how small, if it is enough to cause a sheen upon the surface of the water. It doesn't matter that your boat is not the Exxon Valdez, which actually led to the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 (OPA '90). Enforcement of federal law, as currently written, requires all spills to be reported, even if that means a fine, as a BoatUS member found out the hard way

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Eric ? Been following your threads, Dude you are worrying yourself to death about this boat sinking!!!!!!! Its not gona sink to the bottom as it should have flotation foam in the hull to keep it from sinking??.
Looks like you have it covered by the marina. All the parts you have put on this boat! One would think it would not sink!

Do a good through check on everything before you put it in the water, take it out for a long day on the water and periodically check it. And enjoy your boat for a change. If all is good?.. Dock it up and don?t look back?.. If you happen to get the dreaded phone call?. deal with it?? at the worst you pay a fine (?) not sure what that would be, but your boat is insured.


OR SELL YOUR BOAT NOW AND WALK AWAY???
Just a thought!

 

[ericp501]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Eric ? Been following your threads, Dude you are worrying yourself to death about this boat sinking!!!!!!! Its not gona sink to the bottom as it should have flotation foam in the hull to keep it from sinking??.
Looks like you have it covered by the marina. All the parts you have put on this boat! One would think it would not sink!

Do a good through check on everything before you put it in the water, take it out for a long day on the water and periodically check it. And enjoy your boat for a change. If all is good?.. Dock it up and don?t look back?.. If you happen to get the dreaded phone call?. deal with it?? at the worst you pay a fine (?) not sure what that would be, but your boat is insured.


OR SELL YOUR BOAT NOW AND WALK AWAY???
Just a thought!

I'm a freak!!! I know.. I'm just trying to cover everything, I don't know why I have these doubts

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Im not trying to hammer you, but you have done alot to this boat!!!!!! It shouldnt sink.. there are several boats at my docks that sit in the water all year and never get touched. Could never figure that one out, but it's true. We are there just about every weekend and sometimes thru the week and thease boats don't move away from their slip. Still afloat the next weekend........

Did i read it right... that you store your trailer 15 min away at a buddies house? Could you do away with the slip and park your boat their?

 

[coastalrichard]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Eric, I believe what 81 is try to say is that it is healthy to be mindful of things and a small amount of trepidation will help you stay on your toes. The more you use it, the more confident you'll become as a result. Just don't overthink everything as that can cloud your best judgement Good Luck and get out there on the water!

 

[ericp501]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Im not trying to hammer you, but you have done alot to this boat!!!!!! It shouldnt sink.. there are several boats at my docks that sit in the water all year and never get touched. Could never figure that one out, but it's true. We are there just about every weekend and sometimes thru the week and thease boats don't move away from their slip. Still afloat the next weekend........

Did i read it right... that you store your trailer 15 min away at a buddies house? Could you do away with the slip and park your boat their?

I know I've been thinking that.. I've done/do way more for this boat then most and I'm sure I'm fine. Just new, and the boats been a little pain so far. Yea the trailer is 15 min away, but it's a tight area the boat prob wouldn't fit in. North jersey can be very limited on space lol! I'll get over all this I'm sure

 

[81 Checkmate]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Yes be healthy about your boat.. nothing wrong with that... and... It's a good thing. Your boat will never be neglected thats for sure.

I know you said you installed another back up pump, but for peace of mind install a third with it's own battery. You might be able to get away with just a chepo lawn tractor battery just for the pump only.

Get out this weekemd with your new to you........Boat!

Im just trying to give you some encouragement.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

If you are truly that paranoid, there are systems meant for boats that will send you a txt if they detect water. http://www.marinecontrol.info/Yacht-Guard.html is one, there are others. You just need to add a line to your existing cell phone, which will be $5 to $10 or so. (only works with GSM networks, aka AT&T & T-Mobile only)

The box itself has numerous inputs, so you could add pretty much any sensor you could dream up. Low voltage and water detected would be the obvious ones. I'd also have an input that kicks off when the engine starter is turned, so it would text you any time the engine is turned over. If your boat is covered in the slip, you could also have a motion sensor that closes a contact when it detects motion.

no idea of the cost, it can't be too much, couple hundred bucks would be my guess. If you are truly worried, its worth for a good night sleep.

 

[SigSaurP229]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

not sure but alot of insurance companies offer a rider on the policy for environmental clean up sooo see how much it would cost to add it to the policy

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Insurance will cover the salvage, recovery, repairs, environmental cleanup, and most everything else except the FINES!

You can get drunk run over a pedestrian and crash the the car, insurance will cover the repairs, medical expenses, and most everything except bail and fines.

 

[rallyart]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

If your boat is under 20' it's supposed to be built to that it will not sink. If it's over that it may be built so it won't sink.

 

[ericp501]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

If your boat is under 20' it's supposed to be built to that it will not sink. If it's over that it may be built so it won't sink.

Yea its a 19' bowrider.. I'm def over thinking all of this.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

If your boat is under 20' it's supposed to be built to that it will not sink. If it's over that it may be built so it won't sink.

But it can certainly swamp, capsize and leak fuel everywhere.
Not sinking means you will have something to hold onto and the boat will be easier to locate.
It doesn't mean you will not be having the worst day of your life.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

I thought you were keeping it at a slip at your parents? Just make them sleep in it.

Chances are, if there is an accidental sinking and reasonably quick removal, there won't be any fines, and any costs (including clean-up) should be covered by a good insurance policy. Read your contract.

And I have seen lots of sinkings/swamps in my day and seldom any spills.

 

[MikePNJ]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Eric,

I think the fine is $250 a day for every day its submerged.

If it's docked at the marina, they are good at keeping an eye on it when you're not around, same goes for neighbors at the slips. Just introduce yourself to them. I keep an eye on my neighbors boats just in case I see anything also.

Worst thing I encountered was 10 inches of snow on my cover while it was in the slip in October. I went down during the storm to push the snow off it twice. No other worries.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

Bottom line, will the answer to the 'fines' question determine whether or not you keep the boat?

I don't know the answer to that question, either, but... doesn't matter. I have good insurance and I maintain my boat. If unanticipated 'stuff' happens (which it can to any one at any time) I'll deal with it then.

You pay attention to details. That's good and means that you'll be fine. Now relax and enjoy the boat!

My .02

 

[ericp501]

Re: Fine cost if boat sinks?

I thought you were keeping it at a slip at your parents? Just make them sleep in it.

Chances are, if there is an accidental sinking and reasonably quick removal, there won't be any fines, and any costs (including clean-up) should be covered by a good insurance policy. Read your contract.

And I have seen lots of sinkings/swamps in my day and seldom any spills.

I keep it at my parents when it's not in the slip. They have a big backyard and my dads a mechanic so it's where I have easy access to tools and a good helping hand. They live pretty far from the lake, and that's where I'd have to take it if something went wrong. The trailer is kept at a friends 15 min from the lake, no room for the boat tho. I keep thinking if I could find a good place to keep it on the trailer for a few days if need be, that's right by the lake, till i have time to take it to my parents, I'd feel better about the whole thing.